It is believed that the civil society leads to the prosperity of western countries. However, it¡¦s worth being noticed that the essential factor should be the Christian faith. Several studies have concluded that there is a significant correlation between Christian faith and civil culture in western countries. That is why countries featured as the post-modern civil society are embedded in the culture circle of Christian faith and why modern Christian countries can set an example for post-modern civil society. In order to investigate the origin of post-modern society, the present study begins with religion which is featured as relatively unconscious. Qualitatively analysis and inference are adopted to infer the spirit of Christian and investigate how Christian life in church develops post-modern society culture. Moreover, comparative method is adopted to compare the differences between Catholic and Christian faith and to investigate the direct impact of Christianity on the transformation from traditional society to post-modern civil society of western countries at the turning point of Protestant Reformation. Additionally, the differences between materialism as well as utilitarianism and traditional ethic belief as well as Christian faith are also compared in order to point out the importance of Christian faith, which is more influential on the transformation of social value qualitatively and quantitatively than materialism and utilitarianism. On the other hand, analysis method is used to analyze the resource of Christian faith, the New Testament, and find out that it has much to do with the characteristics of post-modern society and the origin of social value. Due to the deep analysis and extensive inference, the present study discovers that the elements of Christian faith hidden in post-modern society. Thus, it has been concluded that Christian faith has an impact on traditional value and it also has lots to do with the formation of post-modern society. In addition, Christian faith has developed three major characteristics of post-modern society and it has formed the central belief of post-modern society. Finally, with the analysis of latest news, the proposed statements in the present study have been confirmed.

As the pressures of urban development progressively threaten the preservation of greenfields, it is increasingly understood that sustainable development and smart growth strategies must include the remediation and redevelopment of brownfields. As the support for brownfield redevelopment strengthens, and frameworks for brownfield planning become more prominent at municipal levels, it is important that municipalities not only ensure the proper remediation of old brownfield sites, but also identify a place for civil society within brownfield plans. The legal, financial, social, environmental, and health complexities of redevelopment, as well as the impact of brownfield sites on the community, make civil society involvement an essential component of a successful brownfield strategy. This case-based thesis research examines the role of civil society in brownfield remediation and redevelopment through themes of social capital, social learning and risk perceptions. The two cases studies are former landfill sites; the Rennie Street landfill in Hamilton, Ontario and the Belle Park landfill in Kingston, Ontario. Both cases involved civil society using legal action as a reactive approach to contamination leaching from the respective sites into nearby water bodies. The research was conducted through participant observation, interviews with key stakeholders in the Belle Park and Rennie Street landfill cases, and a comprehensive review of written information. The literature review informed the development of a conceptual framework, which was used to guide the research and the evaluation of results. The thesis reveals examples of civil society bringing awareness to brownfield issues through a reactive strategy, followed by proactive community involvement in brownfield programs. In both cases, civil society’s perceptions of the associated risks informed the reaction to the suspected contamination. The results of the study suggest that the establishment of networks and trust, as well as the reflective process that occurred throughout the legal action contributed to civil society’s ability to influence decision making. It is anticipated that the Rennie Street and Belle Park case studies will highlight for brownfield stakeholders the significance of engaging civil society in municipal brownfield planning. / Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-04-24 17:18:47.46

No description available.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (University of Texas Digital Repository, viewed on Sept. 9, 2009). Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 501-524).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgetown University, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 247-266).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Yale University, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [434]-461).

Thesis (MSoc.Sci (Social Research)) -- University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.