No description available.

No description available.

Historically, Zimbabwe’s urban population enjoyed high water supply and sanitation service levels and standards, having one of the highest coverage levels in Africa. However, over the last two decades, the quality of Zimbabwe’s urban water supply and sanitation services has slowly been eroded. The poor, displaced and disenfranchised Zimbabweans that occupy Harare’s informal urban settlements are vulnerable to challenges posed by unavailability of basic water and sanitation services. This qualitative research project, carried out between January and June 2013 in Harare’s Hopley and Retreat informal settlements, investigates factors that have been preventing delivery of basic sanitation services to residents in these two settlements. Presenting evidence from the two informal settlements of Hopley and Retreat, this research establishes that there is a complex relationship at play between policy processes, the prevailing political environment and the way in which institutions have responded to the problem of sanitation in these settlements. The study was undertaken towards the end of an era of a negotiated Government of National Unity between ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change, highlights the dominance of power and political contestation between the two parties that has spilled into policy decisions on basic service provision in the informal settlements. The deep rooted culture of political violence which characterised the political environment from 2000 onwards, with very little commitment to democratic processes, was instrumental in the development of Hopley settlement after the 2005 elections. At face value, ZANU-PF was providing displaced people with alternative accommodation. However, as Muzondidya notes, this along with other ZANU-PF strategies is ‘(c)onsistent with its hegemonic political culture… to engage in cosmetic political and economic reforms that will not result in further democracy or result in a loss of its historic monopoly over power…’ (Muzondidya in Raftopolous, 2013, p.50). Informal settlements are a relatively new phenomenon in Zimbabwe. However, since their inception, they have continued to grow, fuelled by ZANU-PF’s strategy to allocate unserviced residential stands in exchange for residents’ allegiance to the party, with the most recent illegal residential stand allocations taking place in Chitungwiza town in 2013. A close examination of Hopley and Retreat revealed that water and sanitation services provided in Zimbabwe’s informal settlements are typically inadequate or non-existent – a situation that has the potential for severe public health impacts. The emergency actions taken by Non-Governmental Organisations during the height of the 2008 cholera outbreak only provided short-term sanitation solutions. The research concludes that water and sanitation services in Zimbabwe’s informal urban settlements have come to this point, mainly due to the interacting forces of politics. These have influenced policy processes on decision-making, formulation and implementation of sanitation policies for informal settlements. Despite the political origins of several informal settlements, there is a notable absence of practical policies to tackle the issues posed by this development and a lack of institutions capable of instigating the plans needed for change.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / The aim of the research study was to examine and analyse the main constraints faced by the Polokwane Local Municipality in delivery water services to Mabokelele Village. For the researcher to be able to achieve the aim of the study, key research questions were posed which enabled the researcher to gather / collect data that helped shed more light in the research project. Research questions such as what are the constraints faced by the Polokwane Local Municipality in water delivery services, and what strategies are been to address those constraints and how effective are those strategies, were posed to the participants of this research study. The study used the qualitative research design. Respondents were seen as experts of their own life situation. Face to face interviews were used to collect data from the participants. Data analyses was done in the form of content data analysis. The key findings of the research project:- Shortage of skills in financial management, inadequate water service infrastructure, inadequate human resource for water service delivery, lack of co-operation between the Polokwane Municipality and the Mabokelele Induna and lack of community participation and consultation by the Polokwane Local Municipality and long delays caused by the tendering process were identified as the key findings for the study. Recommendations for the study was guided by the findings of the research project. The following served as recommendations for the study : Polokwane Local Municipality should ensure that people with financial management skills and project management are employed to avoid under-spending of the budget. Community participation and consultation should be key when implementing projects to the community, Department of Water Affairs to ensure that enough water service infrastructure is provided so that the Municipality can function properly. Dwarf should speed up the transfer of officials to Polokwane Local Municipality and lastly, the red tapes in the tendering processes should be minimized to avoid long delays in the approval of water projects.

Bakgrund: Att genomgå en förlossning kan vara skrämmande och outforskat för den födande kvinnan. För att erhålla en positiv förlossningsupplevelse krävs det att kvinnan känner säkerhet och besitter kontroll under förlossningsprocessen. Ett alternativ som visat sig ha medicinska fördelar för kvinna och barn under förlossning är när kvinnan ligger nedsjunken i vatten under förlossningsarbetet. Syfte: Syftet var att undersöka kvinnors upplevelser av att befinna sig nedsjunken i vatten i samband med förlossningsarbete. Metod: Kvalitativ metasyntes med metaetnografisk analysmetod. Datainsamling har genom sökning i relevanta databaser genererat i 15 artiklar som ligger till grund för resultatet. Resultat: I resultatet identifierades fyra huvudteman: En tro på det naturliga som innefattade en önskan om naturlig förlossning och en medicinsk misstro. En tilltalande förlossning som berörde vattnets välgörande effekter, stärkande flytkraft, hemlik miljö och ett effektivt förlopp. I En stärkande upplevelse framgick att metoden innebar en känsla av kontroll och tillfredsställelse och att stödet från andra ansågs viktigt. Försvårande omständigheter beskrev olika hinder för en god förlossningsupplevelse, det handlade om poolen, negativa inställningar hos vårdpersonal och anhöriga men också en oro eller rädsla hos kvinnan. Slutsats: Förlossningsarbete i vatten innebär möjligheter för kvinnan till positiv förlossningsupplevelse där hon erhåller kontroll och tillfredsställelse. Ökad kunskap behövs hos barnmorskan och annan relevant vårdpersonal för att kunna stödja och erbjuda kvinnan vård efter hennes önskemål och behov. Klinisk tillämpbarhet: Metasyntesens resultat kan användas av barnmorskor och annan vårdpersonal som möter gravida kvinnor. Dels för att informera och stödja kvinnan, dels för vidare implementering av vattenförlossning på kliniker. / Background: Giving birth can be an intimidating and unexplored experience for women. In order to obtain a positive birth experience, it is required that women feel safe and in control during the birthing process. Water immersion has been shown to have medical benefits during labor and childbirth.Aim: The aim was to investigate women’s experiences of immersion in water in connection with labor and birth.Method: A qualitative metasynthesis with metaethnographic analysis was used. Searching the relevant databases generated in 15 articles and results are based on this data.Results: In the results, four main themes were identified: A belief in the natural that included desire for a natural childbirth and a medical mistrust. An appealing birth that included the beneficial effects of the water as strengthening buoyancy, homely environment and an efficient process. A strengthening experience showed that the method entailed a feeling of control and satisfaction and that the support from others was considered as important. Aggravating circumstances described obstacles for a good experience. It was about the pool, negative attitudes among care staff and relatives but also a worry or fear for the woman.Conclusion: Water immersion during childbirth means a possibility for the women to have a positive childbirth experience where she can feel in control and satisfaction. Increased knowledge is needed for the midwife and other relevant health care professionals to be able to support and offer the woman care according to her wishes and needs.Clinical applicability: The results of metasynthesis can be used by midwives and other healthcare professionals who meet pregnant women. Partly to inform the woman, to be able to support the woman but also for further implementation of waterbirths in clinics.

Bakgrund: I Norden sker i stort sett alla förlossningar på sjukhus assisterade av barnmorskor. Internationellt varierar antalet hemförlossningar. Bad har historiskt sett använts för avslappning och smärtlindring i samband med en förlossning. Det finns en ökad efterfrågan hos kvinnor i Sverige som önskar sig en alternativ förlossningsmetod och det är en fråga som väcker debatt, både i Sverige och i andra länder. Syfte: Att sammanställa studier om nordiska kvinnors orsaker till och upplevelser av en alternativ förlossningsmetod. Metod: En beskrivande litteraturstudie som har utformats av kvalitativa och kvantitativa studier. Totalt ingår 19 vetenskapliga artiklar. Data har kvalitetsgranskats, analyserats och sammanställts. Resultat: Fem huvudkategorier och åtta underkategorier framkom i resultatet. Resultatet visar på att det finns en rad olika orsaker till att nordiska kvinnor väljer en alternativ förlossningsmetod. Att föda med en alternativ förlossningsmetod beskrivs som en positiv upplevelse där kvinnan själv har kontroll över förlossningsprocessen samt en möjlighet att välja förlossningsplats. Detta ingav en trygghet samt en känsla av makt och självbestämmande. Det beskrivs som en trygg miljö utan yttre störningar där kvinnorna kan fokusera och följa den naturliga förlossningsprocessen. Kvinnorna möter även en del negativa attityder kring deras val av en alternativ förlossningsmetod. Slutsats: Kvinnors orsaker till att välja en alternativ förlossningsmetod baseras på en önskan om en naturlig förlossning, bristande tro till medicinska interventioner och känslan av att få vara i kontroll. Fördelar kan ses vid dessa typer av förlossningsmetoder, framförallt rörande upplevelsen för kvinnan. Kvinnor som önskar sig en alternativ förlossningsmetod upplever att de möts av negativa attityder och ifrågasättande. Kvinnor upplever även känslor som oro och rädsla i samband med en alternativ förlossningsmetod, då i kontexten att eventuella komplikationer kan uppstå. / Background: In the Nordic countries most women give birth in hospitals, while being assisted by midwives. Internationally, the number of home deliveries varies. Bathing has historically been used for relaxation and pain relief during childbirth. There is an increased demand from women in Sweden for waterbirth, and this causes debate, both in Sweden and in other countries. Aim: To compile research concerning Nordic women ́s reasons for, as well as experiences of an alternative birth method. Method: A descriptive literature study designed by qualitative, as well as quantitative research, a total of 19 articles. Data has been interpreted, analyzed and compiled. Results: Five main categories and eight sub-categories appeared in the results. The results show that there are a variety of reasons why Nordic women choose an alternative method of delivery. Giving birth through an alternative delivery method is described as a positive experience, giving the woman a sense of control during the delivery process. Being able to choose the place of birth itself provided a sense of security as well as a sense of power and autonomy. It is described as a safe environment without external disturbances, where the women can focus and follow the natural process of childbirth. They also encounter some negative attitudes about their choices of an alternative method of delivery. Conclusion: Women's reasons for choosing an alternative birth method is based on the desire for a natural birth, a lack of faith in medical interventions, or a feeling of maintaining control. Advantages can be seen in these types of birthing methods, especially in regard to the experience for the woman. Women who wish for an alternative birth method feel that they are meeting negative attitudes and questioning. Women also experience feelings of concern and fear regarding alternative birth methods, then in the context of eventual complications that could occur.

Sector Wide Approach (SWAP) can be defined as collaboration between governments, development partners and civil society. It promotes coordination of various donor funded programmes to align with a common sector vision. In the case of South Africa, a water sector SWAP was introduced in 2000. Funds were directed to municipalities that were providing water known as Water Services Authorities (WSAs). This study examines the impact of the SWAP on tangible water delivery issues in Ukhahlamba District Municipality, Eastern Cape. The literature reviewed focuses on rural development in South Africa, and abroad. The quantitative aspect of the research considered various sources including primary data from municipal records of water services provision. Interviews were held with community members, municipal and provincial government officials. Analysis of information from these sources indicates some aspects of water delivery were positive and some negative. Recommendations for improvement and further research are made in the last chapter. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Disasters due to war and conflict or natural forces are responsible for the 26 million people displaced across the world today. The crisis extends into the temporary, yet indefinite, displacement camps where people live in congested living arrangements, vulnerable to an increased risk of disease, death, and social violence (spousal abuse, rape). Even when chaos subsides, social and physical networks have frayed rendering the temporary displacement camp a permanent home for some. Often, despite this “permanence”, access to adequate services and infrastructure and hence social and economic growth remains in a state of emergency. This thesis proposes that water infrastructure is the key social catalyst for developing these displacement camps into permanent sustainable communities. An urban displacement camp in the town of Gulu, Northern Uganda, is the case study location for a speculative design intervention. During rebel activities from 1996 to 2004, the town of Gulu more than tripled in size, absorbing almost 100,000 displaced people forced to flee their land. These people settled in displacement camps next to, and within the wetlands that border the town on all sides. The urban metabolism of the town has become polluted as the displaced people use, alter and degrade the wetlands because they have no other alternatives. Following the instigation of a peace process in 2006, some people have begun the journey home. However, it is estimated that just over half of these people will continue to live in the squalid camps, without an opportunity to prosper. A strategy is proposed for addressing and subsequently re-defining this urban metabolism. By synthesizing the existing urban fabric with strategies for harnessing the natural landscape, varying scales of water infrastructure are proposed. New opportunities for agricultural production is supported, while the spatial relationships created by the physical structuring of the water infrastructure renews the influence that water collection and distribution has in creating the social locus of a community.

Disasters due to war and conflict or natural forces are responsible for the 26 million people displaced across the world today. The crisis extends into the temporary, yet indefinite, displacement camps where people live in congested living arrangements, vulnerable to an increased risk of disease, death, and social violence (spousal abuse, rape). Even when chaos subsides, social and physical networks have frayed rendering the temporary displacement camp a permanent home for some. Often, despite this “permanence”, access to adequate services and infrastructure and hence social and economic growth remains in a state of emergency. This thesis proposes that water infrastructure is the key social catalyst for developing these displacement camps into permanent sustainable communities. An urban displacement camp in the town of Gulu, Northern Uganda, is the case study location for a speculative design intervention. During rebel activities from 1996 to 2004, the town of Gulu more than tripled in size, absorbing almost 100,000 displaced people forced to flee their land. These people settled in displacement camps next to, and within the wetlands that border the town on all sides. The urban metabolism of the town has become polluted as the displaced people use, alter and degrade the wetlands because they have no other alternatives. Following the instigation of a peace process in 2006, some people have begun the journey home. However, it is estimated that just over half of these people will continue to live in the squalid camps, without an opportunity to prosper. A strategy is proposed for addressing and subsequently re-defining this urban metabolism. By synthesizing the existing urban fabric with strategies for harnessing the natural landscape, varying scales of water infrastructure are proposed. New opportunities for agricultural production is supported, while the spatial relationships created by the physical structuring of the water infrastructure renews the influence that water collection and distribution has in creating the social locus of a community.

From the Proceedings of the 1975 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 11-12, 1975, Tempe, Arizona / Pinal County is one of Arizona's largest farm and highest farm income areas. Agriculture there is completely dependent upon irrigation systems, with nearly all of the water supply pumped from underlying groundwater reservoirs. Delivery of central Arizona project water will not assure groundwater conservation at a one to one trade-off ratio. Most of the monetary benefits to agriculture derived from the project will be realized by Indian farmers. Cotton acreage will not be affected, but the acreage of small grains and alfalfa will increase. The increasing salinity of cap water should be of no concern to Pinal County farmers.