Poor urban Australians face a substantial health disadvantage: on average, they can expect to die earlier and suffer more physical disease, mental illness and injuries than wealthier Australians. This thesis examines the potential of one approach to reducing the problem of health disadvantage, namely, systematically intervening in disadvantaged locations. Such an approach is gaining support, especially in the United Kingdom and Australia; there is therefore a need to determine its possibilities and limitations. The thesis is written from the theoretical perspectives of critical social science and political economy of health. The research synthesises empirical data and critical analysis, combining findings from the health inequalities literature and analyses of contemporary political and economic contexts. It also includes two original studies: a quantitative analysis of the patterning of socio-economic disadvantage in Sydney suburbs, and a qualitative case study of a disadvantaged location: Mt Druitt, NSW. The health inequalities research shows that reducing health disadvantage is largely a question of reducing socio-economic disadvantage. A model of social exclusion is used to show how socio-economic disadvantage develops in capitalist societies. Following from this analysis, it is argued that a locational approach can have little impact on the macro political and economic antecedents of socio-economic and health disadvantage. Given these macro constraints, the thesis examines the possible ameliorative impact of a locational approach to health disadvantage here too, there are many limitations. A locational approach would have a limited population reach as most health disadvantaged people do not live in identifiably disadvantaged locations. Location itself creates only a modest independent burden on health, thus improving the amenity of disadvantaged locations will contribute little to reducing health disadvantage. In Australia, the creation of the most visibly disadvantaged urban locations is almost entirely a consequence of policies to concentrate public housing. Although it can be expected that locational interventions will be focused in these locations, there are substantial policy barriers to addressing the major socioeconomic determinants of health , low income, unemployment and sole parent poverty, in public housing estates, Location based policies to alleviate aspects of health and socio-economic disadvantage are assessed. In general locational policies and interventions have had a disappointing track record in buffering populations against issues such as poverty, unemployment and childhood disadvantage. Four specific policies are examined. There is a case to provide improved health services in disadvantaged locations. Measures to improve social capital or change the social mix of locations will have a very small, if any, impact on health. Early intervention in disadvantaged locations is rational in that the precursors of health and socioeconomic disadvantage occur in early life; however, population reach is limited and only the most expensive and intensive of these programs have produced good results. The case study of Mt Druitt shows that agencies are willing to implement a wide range of interventions to alleviate location based socio-economic and health disadvantage. Some of these interventions can be expected to have good results for some individuals. However, there is a lack of a systematic approach to problems in this location, and substantial barriers exist to creating widespread positive change. Overall, despite growing interest in a locational approach to addressing health disadvantage, and evidence of considerable energy at grass root level, a locational approach can be expected to contribute little to improving the health of socio-economically disadvantaged urban Australians. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This thesis addresses the issues faced by the urban poor in their efforts to gain housing in developing countries. It argues that participation in housing is a matter of governance, in which the Public, Private and Popular sectors interact, and Intermediary Agents (IA) are necessary to act as catalysts in this interaction. In Indonesia there are two major problems related to housing the urban poor. The first problem concerns the quantity of housing. The second problem concerns the quality of housing, infrastructure and the environment. The government usually addresses these problems through a project-based, sectoral approach that lacks community engagement and accountability. Intermediary Agents have assisted many of these housing projects. However, little research has been undertaken on their role in these housing projects, as well as in the informal housing process. This thesis examines the role of IAs in the housing process of four different communities: one community in a government-sponsored project and three communities in informal settlements. The findings showed that the IAs, in engaging with the four different communities, played different roles and have different values. The involvement of IAs in the housing process elucidates a fundamental issue. On one hand, the IAs offer a mechanism to assist communities in providing and improving access to housing, infrastructure and services. However, there are limitations to their role: they have not the capacity to improve security of land tenure for the residents, which is essential for sustainable housing development. Where there has been some recognition of residents' rights to occupy the land, there have been substantial gains in community engagement in investing and improving their living environment. The thesis demonstrates the importance of community participation and acknowledges stakeholder engagement and community empowerment are crucial, roles that are often dependent on the involvement of IAs. It also extended the research on movement and development IAs demonstrating that both functions are complementary and important in housing delivery and that there are five roles that these IAs could play depending on the housing situation. The thesis offers new approaches to housing delivery and policy in Indonesia by involving urban poor communities, as the beneficiaries of housing for the poor programs. The qualitative method of the research has not been able to provide a generalised conclusion, but the lessons learned are important not only for providing housing for the urban poor in Indonesia but also possibly to addressing housing problems in other Asian countries. This thesis addresses four areas of intervention in transposing skills for a more democratic approach in housing the poor. Within these areas the research proposes new models of engagement for relevant stakeholders in public, popular and private sectors involving Intermediary Agents. These models are underpinned by a set of basic principles to guide IA engagement. Lastly the thesis proposes three models for IAs involvements in the housing process.

In this study similarities and differences in health experiences among urban poor in relation to the forms of capital they possess: economic, social, cultural, and health capital and the different positions they hold in the urban field, are analyzed. The research was conducted in two poor gecekondu neighborhoods in Altindag, Baraj and G&uuml / ltepe, via face to face interviews with 40 individuals. A main finding has been that the different forms of capital, in volume as well as in composition, had an influence on the urban poor&rsquo / s health perceptions, health care access, health seeking strategies and experiences in health institutions. The rural-urban migrants refer to a habitus in relation to health which still strongly relies on their rural practices. Major differences among men and women have been observed, where men seem to be more open to integrate into the urban dispositions. Economic capital plays a crucial role. Regular income earners do tend to emphasize that they have a certain autonomy and control over their health. On the other hand, benefit dependent poor mention that they have less control over their health. Economic capital can be seen as very much the same among the group studied, but the differences in health experiences rely strongly on Cultural capital is understood as their different identities: villager/non-villager / illiterate/ non-illiterate / women/men / healthy/non-healthy. Social capital (formal and informal solidarity networks) is studied as the role in health experiences, access to health care and strategies to use the existing health system / as well as how individuals support each other materially and immaterially. Social capital is important because it converts into economic capital, not as exchange but as use value. An analysis of the different forms of capital allows us to address at the interrelationship of structural conditions in the field and the practices actors experience through their internalized habitus. Health experiences therefore differ even among a socio-economic homogenous group. In addition to the above mentioned forms of capital, it is also argued that health itself should be considered as a form of capital. Health capital (self perceived health/illness and medically diagnosed disease) influences and is influenced by the other forms of capital.

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

This thesis considers the rapidly growing problems of poverty and urbanisation, especially in the contemporary South African context. It suggests that Christian churches, especially those in the Wesleyan tradition, have a special contribution to make concerning poverty and urbanisation. John Wesley was at the centre of the Evangelical Revival in England in the eighteenth century as well as the emerging Methodist movement. Besides his roles of preaching and organising, he made significant advances in caring for the poor as well as changing attitudes towards the poor. There is an examination of Wesley's social ethics and how this resulted in empowering the poor. Case studies of three very different churches within the Wesleyan tradition are examined. One is in the inner city of Pietermaritzburg, one in an informal settlement near Johannesburg and one in a middle class suburb in Cape Town. The particular focus is on methods used by each to provide low cost housing in their communities. Theoretical models of urban mission for the church in the city are examined. The contemporary context and assumptions of poverty are analysed together with Wesley's social ethics, and his critique ofthe dangers of wealth and riches. The basic thesis ofthis study is that the Christian social ethics of Wesley are relevant and applicable in congregations with the will to empower the poor. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

The study was designed to generate data and information necessary for designing an appropriate sustainable solid waste management system, and examining the socio-economic benefits of urban municipal so lid waste management through job creation opportunities (albeit mainly informal) in Lesotho. The review of literature on the integrated solid waste management systems at international, regional and local levels in relation to job creation was carried out with a view to establish the necessity of carrying out this research. In addition, specific solid waste management experiences and practices in other countries have been cited. In Lesotho, investors and donors have, for long expressed the need for formulation of solid waste management policy and guidelines formulated in the country in order to create an enabling environment for investment. However, the process of preparing policy and guidelines requires substantial data and information. This study supplemented this effort by gathering data and information. The data and information gathered were on the existing policies and regulatory framework concerning waste management; waste generation rates, types and quantity from domestic, industrial and commercial establishments; recycling activities; and the waste harvesting (scavenging) activities. The study was undertaken in Maseru and Maputsoe, being the hub of commercial and industrial activities in the country. The data and information may also be useful to other SADC countries From the results of the study, it has been concluded that in Lesotho, paper was the most commonly generated waste in all the categories: domestic, industrial and commercial establishments. Plastic was the second category of the most commonly generated waste, which was followed by organic waste, and then, beverage cans. The study established that the weighted average household generation rate for the surveyed areas was: 0.13 Kg per capita day-I. In the same findings, it occurred that overall, households contribution to waste generation in the surveyed areas ranked second to commercial establishments despite their low per capita, in comparison with industrial establishments. The study has further concluded that out of an estimated total quantity of 157552 tonnes per annum of waste generated in Maseru, commercial establishments contributed 82%, while households contribute 15% and industrial establishments 3%. Households generated more waste than industries because they were in large numbers and hence contributed more than fewer industries. It has also been established that the household waste generation is dependent on incomes ofthese households, but had poor relationship with regard to the number of persons per household. To this effect, it was seen that high-income households generated more waste than low-income. The study further showed that where the municipal council offered waste collection service, not all recipients paid for this service. However, there was a general willingness- to- pay for the waste collection service by all sectors, on condition that there was an improvement in the offering of this service; and if made available where currently not offered. Furthermore, there was a general indication of affordability for these services up to a certain amount (albeit minimal) per different sectors. On the other hand, the information collected strongly indicated the need to invest more in solid waste management if this would be a means of employment creation and improvement of the environment. On the overall, the study revealed that there was a low level of awareness on waste related policy and regulatory instruments, and fragmented legal framework on waste management in Lesotho. The study also established that currently, solid waste as an informal sector generated an estimated profit of MO.7rnillion per annum from waste recycling related activities and that this informal sector generated about 282 jobs. In addition to these benefits, the question of solid waste as a source of biomass energy was another beneficial route in Lesotho. It has been established that the combustible organic waste was highly sought after as a source of energy for cooking and heating. However, besides the benefits, these activities also gave rise to some adverse impacts. The waste harvesters expressed that their health had been negatively impacted upon by the waste scavenging activities. Needless to suggest that there would be a need by the government to intervene in this problem by formalising these waste harvesting activities. It is hoped that this study would serve as a reservoiur for the source of data and information and for Lesotho and that other countries in the SADC Region shall fmd this document a useful tool. / Theses (Ph.D.)-University of Westville, 2002.

Poverty, specifically child poverty, has been an area of great concern impacting the United States for decades (Chen & Corak, 2008; Douglas-Hall & Chau, 2008; Fajth & Holland, 2007; Germany, 2007; Raphael, 2005; Wight, Chau & Aratani, 2010; Wilson, 2010). This paper explores the differing views, experiences and perceptions of poverty through interviews with three impoverished families: one child and mother each located in an (1) urban (2) suburban and (3) rural community. By looking at children and parents living in impoverished homes in diverse neighborhoods I sought to investigate the societal, social, and emotional perceptions and experiences of children and parents living in urban, suburban, and rural poverty. Children between the ages of 6 and 7 years old were interviewed, as were their mothers, utilizing a qualitative, case study methodology. Research found parental themes of overall concern regarding child well-being due to past personal and peer experiences, a fear of the future, and the differences in variations of family, community, and financial support. Child themes included an awareness of the financial burdens of their families, knowledge of crime and violence and perceptions of wealth and home. / Department of Elementary Education

The thesis aimed to investigate the current situation of food security and initiatives by main actors in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with urban poor in focus. A qualitative study with the actors of food security and the urban poor is the basis of this research’s result complementing with previous studies on this topic. Income of the urban poor in Bangladesh is very low compare to the food price which is one of the main reasons why urban poor are not food secure in Dhaka city. There are many organizations working on income generating approaches in urban Dhaka but the work is too small to have an impact on the current situation of food security. Lack of social safety net is another reason identified for food insecurity in urban Dhaka. The government is provided low priced rice and wheat to the urban poor yet again this only covers 1 percent of the urban slums. Due to lack of resource sustainable development is not included in in the process of ensuring food security in urban Dhaka.

In spite of its spontaneous and improvised character, the informal sector has provided virtually the only appropriate housing, in terms of the organization of the outdoor space, for the urban poor of the developing countries. Through an analysis of the outdoor spaces in Eziukwu-Aba, a low-income and informal settlement in Aba, Nigeria, this thesis investigates the organization and mode of use of outdoor spaces, in relation to the day-to-day activities of the urban poor. It focuses on the patterns of outdoor spaces, the categories of activities found in them and the periods of time of the occurrence of the activities. / The findings of this study are compared with those of earlier studies, and the broader implications of these findings on contemporary low-income urban housing in the developing countries are briefly outlined. This study posits that for the urban low-income group of the developing countries, (a) usable space takes precedence over aesthetics and permanence and (b) housing and environmental quality in terms of construction standards are of little significance, compared with employment.

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 168-178). / Microfiche. / xiv, 178 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm