This study examines the utilisation of miombo woodland by fishing communities in Lake Malawi National Park (LMNP). Combining methodologies from the natural and social sciences, patterns of use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and the impact of harvesting practices on the resource base, are described. The main focus is the commercial and subsistence use of primary woodland resources including: fuelwood, construction materials and grass thatch. Aerial photographic analysis and a quadrat based vegetation survey are used to examine the impact of local utilisation practices on the miombo woodland. Multivariate analyses assess the importance of different environmental variables in explaining the floristic composition of the woodland vegetation. A range of NTFPs are used locally but market surveys indicate that few products are traded outside the villages. A marketing analysis suggests that urban trade is constrained by the low economic value of woodland resources compared to the high cost of rural transport. Specific patterns of collection and use are apparent for each resource. This thesis explores the impact of different harvesting practices on the miombo woodlands. Using household surveys and time allocation, the effects of children on patterns of wood collection and use are examined. The role of daughters in fuelwood collection is discussed in relation to theories of fertility and family size. Furthermore, behavioural ecology approaches are used to examine the decision making in wood collection. This research provides a useful framework for investigating resource use because it combines concurrent studies of village and woodland communities. The quantitative and rigorous approach enables the factors that influence resource use, and their impact, to be defined. This study contributes to theories of conservation and the practice of integrated management of natural resources. Furthermore, the research demonstrates the importance of woodland resources to the subsistence strategies of rural communities within a protected area system.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2008. / Title from file title page. Kim D. Reimann, committee chair; Charles R. Hankla, Tianjian Shi, Jennifer L. McCoy, committee members. Electronic text (249 p. : col. ill.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed Sept. 17, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 196-208).

This thesis looks in detail at four small-holding households in a Chinese village that is experiencing the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation that has occurred in China over a number of decades. The research explores the dynamics of the households, which are at a point where traditional values and modes of living are challenged by the changing social, economic and cultural context. These small-holding village households are characterised by an interdependent set of family and household relationships and an intricate interplay between cultural expectations, resources dynamics, bonds of affect and economic and social activities. The research draws upon key literature concerned with household, family and economic life, to analyse the research data concerning these Chinese village households experiencing change. The research has been conducted within a narrative inquiry framework, as an appropriate approach for understanding the processes of adaptation to changes at the levels of households and individual members: what people do, how they feel, how they interpret ‘the self’ in the context of social, economic and cultural change, and how they talk about all of this. Fieldwork was carried out over the period from 2011 to 2014 in the village of Shang (a pseudonym) in the Huangshan area, Anhui province. In-depth interviews, informal interviews and conversations with household members were combined with long-term participant observation in the village, encompassing various households and many social events. The analysis of the resulting data is provided around three key topics: ‘Divisions of Labour, Household Work and Changing Economic Life’, ‘Resources and the Household’, and ‘Household and Networks’. People have a range of different ways of coping with changes, influenced by many factors including their roles and aspirations and bonds of love and caring; while at the household level, the different styles and layers of livelihood are influenced by and in turn influence the organisation of material and particularly non-material resources in the household. The stories that people tell about their experiences, feelings and understandings demonstrate that they are actively responding and adapting to change rather than being passive recipients or resistant to this. Both change and continuity are witnessed through focusing analysis at both individual and household levels. Combining ideas about the household as a resource system and a narrative inquiry approach provides detailed insights on Chinese village households in their changing social and economic context.

No description available.

Chinese urban villages which have grown over time have difficulty to operate as a healthy urban environment. As a consequence, residents are often forced to move to the boundary of the city although many prefer its narrow streets and the informality of life. This thesis proposes a modern infrastructural architecture to collaborate with the fabric of the urban village and infuse the environment with new possibilities and potentials. / Master of Architecture

Maternity embodies the essence of creation and continuity, holding profound significance on our planet. It signifies the genesis of life, a cycle that perpetuates through generations, shaping societies and civilizations. Beyond its biological import, maternity encompasses nurturing, compassion, and resilience, which are fundamental for individual well-being and the planet's sustainability. Maternity also fosters interconnectedness, as each child born becomes not just part of a family but a member of the larger human family, highlighting the universal bond of humanity. My thesis seeks to explore the intricate dynamics within healthcare facilities, examining the perspectives of patients and medical professionals while considering the historical backdrop of childbirth within a village setting. The primary objective of my thesis is to confront the increasing maternal mortality rates in the United States by examining the pivotal junction of healthcare infrastructure and maternal health. This entails conceptualizing a "birth village" that not only revolutionizes the childbirth journey, creating a more nurturing and therapeutic ambiance through biophilic design, but also places a strong emphasis on the comprehensive wellness of patients / Master of Architecture / In the tapestry of existence, parenthood emerges as a cornerstone, weaving threads of care, guidance, and endurance into the fabric of society. It symbolizes the dawn of new beginnings, a symphony of life's continuity echoed through the ages. Parenthood transcends mere biology, embodying empathy, fortitude, and adaptability—qualities indispensable to personal growth and the sustainability of our collective journey. Parents serve as architects of tomorrow, imparting wisdom, empathy, and affection to their offspring, thereby nurturing the emergence of conscientious global citizens. Moreover, parenthood cultivates a sense of belonging, as each child born becomes a nexus of familial ties and a vital thread in the intricate tapestry of humanity, underscoring the innate unity that binds us all. However, alongside the joy and significance of maternity, it is crucial to acknowledge the physical and emotional challenges women often endure during this transformative period. The pain experienced during childbirth is a testament to women's strength and resilience, yet it also underscores the need for comprehensive support systems, access to quality healthcare, and respect for women's choices in maternity care. Recognizing the importance of maternity extends to global initiatives aimed at promoting health, education, and equality, ensuring harmonious coexistence and a thriving planet for generations to come. With maternal mortality rates on the rise in the USA, the need for innovative and holistic solutions in healthcare architecture has never been more pressing. My research aims to understand the multifaceted dynamics of healthcare facilities by analyzing the experiences of both patients and medical professionals through interactions with doctors and health professionals in existing maternity hospitals and birth villages in India. My thesis aims to develop a maternal hospital that integrates the concept of a birthing village with modern healthcare facilities, incorporating biophilic elements into maternity care settings. It aims to pinpoint areas within contemporary healthcare infrastructures where community-centric support akin to traditional village setups can be integrated. Furthermore, the project endeavors to exalt the sanctity of childbirth and childcare, tackling architectural challenges to mitigate unnecessary cesarean deliveries.

No description available.

Over the past thirty years, China’s transition to a semi-open market economy has manifested as a process of rapid urban development. Low-income, migrant populations who arrive in the city in search of better work opportunities are being integrated into a class of new urban poor and must contend with limited housing options. Urban villages, which are recognized as rural, collectively owned land located within the urban boundary, are now becoming targeted for government supported urban renewal. Because the urban villages’ land lies outside the regulatory reach of the municipal government, these areas tend to develop in an informal manner and attract low-income migrant tenants. However, urban village tenants are being excluded from the renewal process. The aim of this research is to examine these widely debated concerns within the case of the ongoing Caiwuwei urban village renewal project in Shenzhen. Through this research, I reconsider the functionality of power relations within China’s rapid economic growth, particularly between the urban development decision makers and the marginalized migrant tenant groups. These groups of migrant workers who rent housing units in urban villages have a stake in the urban renewal process because they participate in the urban village social network supporting the need of cheaper supply from the surrounding area. By applying theories of public participation to the process of giving avenue to speak up what they need, which is empowering from the urban village tenant groups, I identify challenges and possibilities for the inclusion of public voices in future government processes in China. I suggest that the project finance model of a public-private partnership could be structured around this collaborative process of renewal, in order to develop a platform for ongoing public participation, particularly in the provision of social services and institutions within the urban village community. Such an arrangement for urban redevelopment will facilitate the balancing of influence among disparate income groups. / text

<p><font face="Times New Roman"> <p align="left">This mini-thesis seeks to interrogate the interplay between memory and documentation in the process of exhibition-making by a looking at the preparation for and mounting of the exhibition, Museum. This will be achieved by looking at the institutional methodologies employed by the Museum in dealing with ex-residents of District Six, their memories and artefacts in the heritage practice of a Museum as a forum. This practice was put into effect as the District Six Museum engaged ex-residents of other locations of removal.</p> </font></p>

This study is to explore the influences of learning experience on Kaohsiung¡¦s 5th graders who have attended English Village; in addition, the author used stratified random sampling to conduct questionnaire survey. Furthermore, students who are 5th graders in Kaohsiung in 2011 were chosen as research objects and approximate 600 participants were needed in this study. The contents of questionnaire are made up of personal data, English learning motivation, and English anxiety. The statistical analyses which contain descriptive statistics, correlation of coefficient, regression model, and One-way ANOVA was conducted after all the questionnaires returned. The results of this reasearch are as follows: 1. Students of different sexes, parents¡¦ support, and parents¡¦ expectations demonstrate significantly different English intrinsic motivation. 2. Students of different sexes, parents¡¦ support, and parents¡¦ expectations demonstrate significantly different English integrative motivation. 3. Students of different sexes, the participation of cram school, English learning experiences, parents¡¦ support, and parents¡¦ expectations demonstrate significantly different Engish communication apprehension. 4. Students of different English learning experiences, parents¡¦ support, and parents¡¦ expectations demonstrate significantly different English test anxiety. Based upon the above findings, the researcher of this study proposed 3 suggestions to fill as the function of the reference material for the authorities concerned and official staffs.