This dissertation focuses on the personal layers of meaning attached to a heritage site, using the case study of Hong Kong’s old Central Police Station (CPS). It is a way to enhance the understanding of the site in a way that goes beyond the scope of ‘official’ records and histories, such as those found in conservation reports, government documents, etc. These documents focus heavily on the significant historical stories attached to the site and the site’s formal architectural qualities as a way to understanding the heritage values of the place. However, this ignores the fact that a site such as the CPS was not built as an historical artefact or as a grand architectural monument. Rather, the CPS had a functional purpose: as a site of work. This dissertation therefore uncovers the meanings attached to the CPS as a site of work, through an understanding of the socio-historical experiences of the site. This is based on both theoretical and practical research. The theoretical research outlines an overarching theory of ‘heritage place’ – as a result of human interaction with space – as based on the philosophies of Martin Heidegger and Henri Lefebvre, the geographical writings of Carl O. Sauer and Allan Pred, and the cultural heritage theory of Laurajane Smith. This theory is rooted in the phenomenological method, which is founded upon an understanding and description of human experience. The practical component of this dissertation draws upon 10 interviews I conducted with former staff of the CPS, which led me to understand the memories and experiences attached to the site. I then present a synthesis of the theoretical and the practical arms of the research as a way to understand the heritage meanings of the CPS as a living, functional site (not as historical artefact). Ultimately, the research presented in this dissertation is an attempt to guide conservation thinking in Hong Kong away from static and esoteric understanding of heritage significance as rooted in esoteric and largely impersonal qualities of history and aesthetics, and towards an understanding of heritage significance as rooted in humans’ interactions with their environment. / published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

It is good news to see that Hong Kong has adopted the adaptive reuse approach in conserving historical buildings through projects under the Revitalisation Scheme. The bad news is that due to the absence of well-founded locally relevant principles and guidelines, almost all of these projects have brought about fierce quarrels among different groups of professionals. In particular the quarrel between conservation professionals, who try to adopt international best practices in conservation, and government officials, who are responsible for regulating and enforcing fire safety codes consistently in all buildings, regardless they are new or historical. In the past, some conservation architects have queried about the possibility of applying for exemption from the fire codes in conserving historical buildings through adaptive reuse. Today, conservation professionals and government officials have accepted that there is little room for compromise regarding the application of the fire codes in the adaptive reuse of historical buildings, as the codes are about ensuring the safety of occupants as well as protecting the heritage property from fire. Conservation professionals are now looking into ways of applying the fire codes in adaptive reuse projects. Now that the Revitalisation Scheme has been in operation for six year with a number of projects successfully completed, it presents the author the opportunity to examine the fire-code application of these completed projects to develop references based on precedent case-studies. Such references would be useful to professionals in adaptive reuse projects (as conservation consultants, project managers, architects and engineers) in facilitating the planning and design of the adaptive reuse in terms of meeting the fire codes. This research is to study the application for relaxation of, and exemption from, the prescribed fire safety codes by adopting fire engineering approach in adaptive re-use of Old Tai O Police Station into Tai O Heritage Hotel. Tai O Heritage Hotel is the first and so far the only hotel premises of the Government. Besides, it’s the first historic buildings in Batch I of the Revitalisation Scheme with capital cost funded by the Government. It is a great challenge to equip a 110 years old historic building with modern fire safety provisions and installations. By demonstrating the ways of appropriate means in application of fire engineering approach in fire safety in historic building, procedure and assistance which can be given by Government Departments in facilitating the revitalisation works, it can provide platform for future discussions, or a model for future adaptive re-use projects under the Revitalisation Scheme. / published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

The government plans to redevelop Tai O into a tourist spot. Recently, the government is seeking strategies to maintain the existing community of Tai O and retain the cultural heritage, natural environment and local economy of the place. This will shift Tai O’s major economy from fishing to tourism. The stilt houses are an important element of the history and the fishing village character of Tai O. Under the Government plan, all stilt houses in Tai O will be kept as one main tourism attraction, however the Government does not have intention to help the residents in the ongoing maintenance of the stilt houses. The conditions of the stilt houses for most of the households, especially the elderly need to be improved. If the vulnerable states of the stilt houses are not well-identified, they could soon fall apart and disappear within our generation. This should force us to consider the preservation of the stilt house. Also, with the rebuilding project ahead, some signs of history will disappear if not controlled and conserved. As such the vulnerable factors need to be identified and suggestions are needed for the preservation purpose. In order to thoroughly understand the vulnerable factors of the stilt houses, interviews with residents and members from Tai O Rural Committee, Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), Tai O Alliance Church and Tai O Residents’ Rights Concern Group were carried out in order to seek their views on the vulnerable factors of the stilt house and their opinion towards Tai O stilt house development and cultural & heritage conservation. The dissertation is as attempt to address key queries such as: – Impact on Tai O stilt house resulted from disaster, natural degradation and Government policy – Human impact relating to the stilt house, including depopulation, environmental condition and tourist – Opinions regarding improving Tai O stilt house from residents – Future of Tai O Stilt house. For the development of the Tai O stilt house, the opinion of local residents and actual situation in Tai O should be considered. In view of better development of stilt house in Tai O, cooperation and compromise between Government, Tai O Rural Committee, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), Tai O Alliance Church, Tai O Residents’ Rights Concern Group and residents would be more constructive for stilt house in Tai O. / published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

Tyrimo problema. Bronchų astma tampa globaline sveikatos problema: ji dažnėja, jaunėja. Manoma, kad šia liga daugelis žmonių suserga ankstyvoje vaikystėje (Anandan et al., 2010). Tai Chi – kinų kovos menas apimantis suderintą kvėpavimą su kūno judesiais, tai padeda mažinti stresą, atsipalaiduoti, išlaikyti kūno pusiausvyrą. Taip pat gali padėti sergantiems astma geriau kontroliuoti astmos priepuolius ir pagerinti fizinį pajėgumą (Kiatboonsri et al., 2008). Moksliniuose straipsniuose (Fanelli et al., 2007; Chang et al., 2008) teigiama, jog Tai Chi pratimai žymiai pagerina vaikų, sergančių bronchų astma, kvėpavimo funkciją. Tyrimo objektas: 8–11 metų vaikų, sergančių bronchų astma kvėpavimo funkcijos kitimas taikant Tai Chi pratimus ir įprastinę kineziterapiją. Tyrimo hipotezė: manome, kad Tai Chi pratimų taikymas vaikų, sergančių bronchų astma, kvėpavimo funkcijai turėtų būti veiksmingesnis nei įprastinė kineziterapija Tyrimo tikslas: įvertinti Tai Chi pratimų poveikį kvėpavimo funkcijai, gydant 8–11 metų vaikus, sergančius bronchų astma. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti kvėpavimo funkcijos rodiklių kitimą taikant įprastinę kineziterapiją. 2. Nustatyti kvėpavimo funkcijos rodiklių kitimą taikant Tai Chi pratimus. 3. Nustatyti, kuri pratimų programa buvo veiksmingesnė gerinant kvėpavimo funkciją. Tyrimas buvo atliktas VŠĮ Kačerginės vaikų sanatorijoje „Žibutė“. Buvo ištirtos dvi grupės po 25 vaikus, sergančius bronchų astma, kurių amžius nuo 8 iki 11 metų. Tiriamajai grupei... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Research Problem: Bronchial asthma is becoming a global health issue: it is an increasingly common illness diagnosed in very young children. It is believed that the majority of people develop this disease in the early childhood (Anandan et al., 2010). Tai Chi, which is a Chinese martial art combining harmonious breathing and body movements, can help to reduce stress, relax and maintain body balance. In addition, it allows those with asthma to better control their asthmatic fits and to improve physical potential (Kiatboonsri et al., 2008). According to scientific articles (Fanelli et al., 2007; Chang et al., 2008), Tai Chi exercises improve the respiratory function of children who suffer from bronchial asthma. Research Object: How Tai Chi exercises and regular physiotherapy cause changes in the respiratory function of 8–11 years-old children who have bronchial asthma. Research Hypothesis: In terms of the respiratory function Tai Chi exercises seem to be more effective in children with bronchial asthma than regular physiotherapy. Research Objectives: To assess how Tai Chi exercises affect the respiratory function of 8–11 years – old children who undergo treatment for bronchial asthma. Research Tasks: 1. To establish how respiratory function indicators begin to change when applying regular physiotherapy. 2. To determine how respiratory function indicators begin to change when applying Tai Chi exercises. 3. To find out which exercise programme proved to be the most effective... [to full text]

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 140-163).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, July, 1989. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. [352]-378).

Quedas no idoso pode ser um evento devastador. Deve ser estimulada a conscientização desse grupo quanto aos benefícios de se manterem ativos. O tai chi chuan é um exercício de prática esportiva moderada que demonstra aumento no equilíbrio, marcha e postura. O objetivo foi avaliar a influência dessa modalidade no equilíbrio, postura e marcha de idosos ativos e saudáveis. Foi realizado um estudo transversal controlado com 76 voluntários, com 51 participantes da atividade para o equilíbrio, idade média de76, 8 anos. Foram utilizados quatro testes do Sistema Balance Master da Neurocom. Para análise dos dados a comparação das idades nos dois grupos utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Whitney (Siegel, 2006). O mesmo teste foi utilizado para todas as comparações entre os dois grupos quanto ao Teste Clínico Modificado da Interação Sensorial para o Equilíbrio (TCISEM), Teste da Caminhada (TC), Teste da Transferência de Sentado para em Pé (TSP) e Teste da avaliação Unipodal (TUP). O grupo do tai chi chuan apresentou valores significativos no equilíbrio e maior capacidade de recuperação. / Falls in the elderly can be a devastating event. Should be encouraged awareness about the benefits of this group to remain active exercises. Tai-chi-chuan is an exercise in sports practice demonstrates that moderate increases in balance, gait and posture. The objective was to evaluate the influence of this modality in the balance, posture and gait of elderly people active and independent. Was conducted a cross-controlled study with 76 volunteers, with 51 participants in the activity for the balance, average age de76, 8 years. We used four tests of the system\'s Balance Master Neurocom.For analysis of the data to compare the two age groups using the Mann-Whitney test (. Siegel, 2006). The same test was used for all comparisons between the two groups on the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration for the balance (TCISEM), the Walk Test (CT), Test of the Transfer of sitting for standing (TSP) and Test of the evaluation Leg (TUP). The group of tai chi chuan showed significant values in the balance and gait.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2017-07-31T13:43:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) versão final Dissertação Giedre.pdf: 2491754 bytes, checksum: 569a88ee143897787538239546178cf8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-31T13:43:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) versão final Dissertação Giedre.pdf: 2491754 bytes, checksum: 569a88ee143897787538239546178cf8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-13 / CAPES / Essa pesquisa aborda a relação entre educação, corpo e cultura através do estudo e observação dos idosos da Associação Brasileira de Práticas Corporais Chinesas (APPCC) na prática de Tai Chi Chuan. O objetivo principal é mostrar, considerando o curso de vida dos membros do grupo, que o corpo incorpora saberes e aprendizagens acionados pela cultura e, uma vez trazidos à tona pela prática da arte marcial, promovem mudanças não só relacionadas à saúde – como por vezes são consideradas exclusivamente numa perspectiva reducionista de pesquisadores da gerontologia. As mudanças são também cognitivas, sociais, psicológicas, econômicas, afetivas etc. Dessa forma, nossa abordagem está epistemologicamente esteada nos entrelaçamentos multidimensionais do fenômeno à luz da transdisciplinaridade, do pensamento complexo e pela proposição paradigmática do “terceiro incluído”. A abordagem metodológica adotada é qualitativo-descritiva de caráter etnográfico. Os dados foram reunidos a partir de observação participante e de entrevistas não estruturadas. Uma vez identificados os turning points na trajetória de vida dos idosos, foi possível compreender as referidas mudanças dentro de uma linha que divisa - e também dialoga-, “um antes” e “um depois”, de maneira recursiva, em termos de benefícios para a vida dos velhos com a prática do Tai Chi Chuan. Utilizamos a técnica de análise do discurso nas entrevistas individuais e em grupo. Espera-se, com esse trabalho, contribuir para o aprofundamento da compreensão multidimensional da experiência corporal, seus reflexos sobre o envelhecimento e seus desdobramentos, em detrimento da postura dualista, fragmentada e excessivamente especializada que marca a ciência moderna no trato com o conhecimento e os saberes adquiridos e produzidos na velhice. / This research addresses the relationship between education, body and culture through the study and observation of the elderly from Associação Brasileira de Práticas Corporais Chinesas (ABPCC) in the practice of Tai Chi Chuan. The main goal is to show, considering the life course of some members of the group, that the body incorporates knowledge and learnings triggered by culture and, once brought to light by the practice of this martial art, they promote changes not only related to health - as sometimes they are exclusively considered through a reductionist perspective of researchers in gerontology. The changes are also cognitive, social, psychological, economic, affective etc. Thus, our approach is epistemologically supported by the multidimensional interweaving of the phenomenon in the light of transdisciplinarity, the complex thought and the paradigmatic proposition of the "third included". The methodological approach adopted is qualitative-descriptive of ethnographic character. Data were gathered from participant observation and unstructured interviews. Once the turning points were identified in the life course of the elderly, it was possible to understand such changes within a line that divides - and also dialogues-, a "before" and an "after", recursively, in terms of benefits to the life of the elderly with the practice of Tai Chi Chuan. We used the discourse analysis technique in individual and group interviews. We hope that this work contributes to the deepening of the multidimensional understanding of the body experience, its reflections on aging and its developments, to the detriment of the dualistic, fragmented and overly specialized approach that marks modern science as to dealing with the knowledge and the learning acquired and produced in old age.

The thesis "Taoism in European terms at the beginning of 21st century. Presentation of this phenomenon in Christian perspective." Taoism as the original Chinese philosophical and religious system, which deeply influenced Chinese Buddhism and Confucianism, is presented in this thesis. The main principles of Taoism and Taoist writings are introduced. Taoism penetrates into different areas of contemporary European culture; its influence is evident in science, literature and the contemporary lifestyle. Special emphasis is placed on traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist exercises that are significantly beneficial to Westerners. In contrast, the risk is found in uncritical accepting and simplifying of selected aspects without a deeper understanding of the principles of Taoism and its tradition. These benefits and risks are documented by publications of Christian theologians. The difference in Eastern and Western thinking is the cause of the difficulty of mutual understanding of both cultures. Keywords Taoism, Chinese philosophy, Chinese traditional medicine, healing, Tai Chi, Christianity

published_or_final_version / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning