Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1984.

published_or_final_version / Statistics / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Urban communities often lack the ability to recover after disaster plans have been implemented because of a lack of coordinated resources among federal, state, and local agencies. As a result, economically marginalized citizens find themselves in risky conditions, particularly concerning finding and securing post-disaster housing. Using social conflict theory as a guide, the purpose of this exploratory case study of an urban area in a southern state was to better understand the specific vulnerabilities of urban communities and develop solutions for challenges related to emergency or temporary shelters to victims. Data were primarily collected through interviews with 10 residents who experienced a series of tornadoes in 2011. These data were inductively coded and then subjected to a thematic analysis. Findings indicate that participants tended to consider themselves as displaced, but not homeless, even though temporary housing needs ranged between 45 days and 18 months. Participants also reported that coordination efforts to distribute funding to displaced residence failed, as did private insurance in most cases. As a result, competition for scarce resources was significant and most people tended to rely upon financial help from friends and family members. The positive social change implications stemming from this study include recommendations to city planners and emergency managers to strengthen relationships with community leaders to assess needs prior to a disaster and establish a 'bottom-up' planning policy rather than wait for a disaster to assess the availability of federal or state funding that may not come in order to proactively protect vulnerable community members from post-disaster housing deficiencies.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1982.

Post-disaster displacement, with the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, is quickly arising to become one of the most serious humanitarian challenges in the 21st century. As post-disaster housing spans several phases, the transitional housing phase is equally crucial as emergency sheltering and permanent housing: as dwellers remain in transitional housing projects up to years, their physical and emotional wellbeing is directly influenced by their surrounding built environment. Existing literature and practice have not paid enough attention to the built structures of post-disaster transitional housing. This thesis revisits past practices world-wide and architectural theory in the 20th century. Arguing that current transitional-housing design methodology is still deeply rooted in early 20th century Modernist ideologies, this thesis ties the missing link between architectural theory and humanitarian built environment design. Through examining theories and case studies, this thesis stresses the importance of approaching post-disaster transitional housing through the lens of architectural design, and makes suggestions for future improvements.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1982. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Also available in print.

Housing shortage is sweeping over Nordic countries, where college/university students has involved in this housing crisis. More innovative housing solutions are appealed to buffer housing shortage and supply affordable housing for students. The existence of module housing and container housing in a number of Nordic municipalities has come into being a new housing term: temporary housing. At the same time, students’ housing expenditure has influence on their financial strain, and students’ housing location affects student involvement on campus. The design of temporary housing aims to cope with housing shortage. This study intends to figure out an ideal temporary housing with a great rent in order to alleviate students’ financial strain, a good location so as to enhance the level of student involvement, and a satisfactory housing type for purpose of meeting students’ housing preference. To understand students’ view of temporary housing, Cockerham’s theory of health and lifestyle is applied to develop “living condition” in student group. A self-administered questionnaire in quantitative research is conducted, and with a case study element as well. The survey groups centers on college/university students so that this study is following a down-up perspective. Finally, based on students’ feelings and opinion, an ideal temporary housing is depicted as a new product in student housing. This ideal temporary housing is discussed in relation to variables, such as an acceptable rent, good housing location and pleasant housing type.