Thesis (doctoral)-Bauhausuniversität, Weimar, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 398-434).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical reference (leaf 166-173).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009. / Additional advisors: Robert Angus, Paul D. Blanchard, Sarah Culver, Alan Shih. Description based on contents viewed June 3, 2009; title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 48-51).

Academisch Proefschrift--Universiteit van Amsterdam, 2007. / Publication of book was made possible by a grant from WOTRO (Science for Global Development) of the NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) and AMIDSt (Amsterdam Institute for Metropolitan and International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 279-298).

The role of universities in contributing to the development of their host cities is a subject of ongoing scholarly debate. This is because the contemporary complex and competitive economic and technological global environment requires rapid adaptation to shifting opportunities and constraints in a global knowledge economy. Higher education has thus become an engine of development for cities and nations in the developing world. In line with this global trend, the South African government has thus mandated higher education institutions to play a more active role in addressing the development needs of the country. Within this context, this study therefore embarked on an appraisal of the University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) contribution to the development of its host city, East London in South Africa. The study employed a qualitative approach and used semi structured interviews as a primary data collection tool. The sampling technique was purposive sampling as the study targeted key respondents that had rich information about their departments and organisations. The study found that the university interacts with the city on a number of platforms and advisory boards established by some university departments. The main contribution was realised through relevant research carried out by academics in different departments within the city which informs developmental policy for the local government and contributes positively to the private sector. The University of Fort Hare also serves as a major labour supplier for both the public and private sector. The study however established that UFH is not producing technical graduates which are a critical skill in the private sector, specifically in the automotive industry which is the back bone of the city. This skills gap presents an opportunity for the university to expand its programmes so as to address the needs of private industry. In terms of policy, the study recommends the need for a convener or an intermediary to champion collaboration of the university with the city and the private sector.

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Tourism and Hospitality Management in the Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2009 / Sport tourism events have grown in prominence globally. Governments increasingly include these activities into their development and tourism strategies. Notably, there are benefits and costs to hosting sport mega-events. The 2010 FIFA World Cup presents South Africa with tangible and intangible benefits. Communities are one of the most important stakeholders of events. Research investigating residents’ perceptions on impacts of mega-events, especially those residing closest to the event location are limited. This study examined Green Point residents’ perceptions of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the impacts of the Green Point Stadium. The aim was to investigate the level of awareness, perceptions and attitudes of residents’ living within one kilometre of the Stadium using a spatially based stratified random sampling method. Interviewer completed questionnaires were administered and 344 responses from residents recorded. Findings reveal that residents have high levels of awareness about the event but more could be done to improve communication and the dissemination of information by stakeholders. Although, the stadium location was initially contested, the majority of residents favour the chosen site. Residents’ primary concern about South Africa hosting the event relate to crime, safety and security of visitors. Overall, residents have high expectations’ regarding social and economic impacts. Moreover, residents have positive attitudes towards the country hosting the mega-event and most believe that lasting legacies will be left for the nation. The findings encourage stakeholders to promote active community involvement and participation by using all communication methods available to regularly engage with residents to address and alleviate concerns about perceived negative impacts of the event and future events.

Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Events Management ))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / The importance of conducting resident perception studies into the phenomenon of mega sports events cannot be over-emphasised; as such studies provide a unique platform by means of which to gauge the perceptions and attitudes of host communities with regards to the impacts of mega-events. In the context of South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and regarding the perceived impacts of the event on host communities, a couple of studies have been undertaken within the Green Point suburb of Cape Town. As a continuum of such studies, the current study is undertaken with the objectives of ascertaining whether any adaptations have occurred three months before kick-off of the event, and to further provide a platform for post-event longitudinal studies. Furthermore, in cases where changes in perceptions were recorded, previous studies carried out within the same study area were reflected upon. The target population in the study involved residents living within a 2- kilometre radius of the Cape Town Stadium situated in Green Point. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered to residents using a spatially based stratified random sampling method. The focus of the study was to examine the perceptions and attitudes of Green Point residents towards the development of the Cape Town Stadium and potential impacts of the 2010 World Cup on their community. Key findings of the study revealed the profile of Green Point residents to be predominantly male, with an average age of 38.2 years.

Doctorat en sciences sociales, politiques et économiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

In the past years the government has been giving speeches and promises to South African Residents about housings for all but this is still a challenge. This is problematic for the township Joe Slovo in the sense that more than one third of the population live in small, unsafe shacks. It is evident that many suffer from the slow delivery of houses and many residents are affected negatively in the struggle for proper housing.

Contemporary debates about development confer a prominent role to citizen participation and decentralization. Growing scepticism about the efficacy of narrowly conceived measures add pressure to reform development both theoretically and in practical terms. There is a greater understanding that ‘traditional’ development approaches and policies need to be reformulated and decentralization and citizen participation have been proposed as remedies to previous development failures. It is frequently argued that citizen participation will improve the efficiency and efficacy of public services. Citizen participation is meant to render local government more accountable and to contribute to deepening democracy, by reinforcing representative democratic institutions with participatory forms. At the same time, decentralization reforms have been proposed as a response to the failures of highly centralized states. From a political perspective, it is argued, decentralization reforms can help the central state gain legitimacy and have been seen as a strategy for maintaining political stability. It has been repeatedly suggested that physical proximity makes it easier for citizens to hold local officials accountable for their performance. From an economic perspective, decentralization can improve the match between the mix of services provided by the public sector and the preferences of the local population. It has also been noted that people are more willing to pay for services that respond to their priorities and that increased competition between local governments generates spaces for more creative responses adapted to local needs. But then, can decentralization and citizen participation live up to the faith and expectations that they have inspired? I argue that the literature commonly over-emphasises the role of citizen participation and decentralization in development and what these processes and reforms can achieve. Much of the evidence is anecdotal in nature and tends to neglect the specific contexts in which these processes take place. Also largely ignored are political economy considerations and a critical exploration of the relationship between these two key words. At best, when their interrelationships are addressed decentralization and citizen participation are conceived as based on a symbiotic relationship. I suggest, however, that the relationship between these two processes is not as straightforward as most of the literature assumes. The meanings of these two key words in current development lexicon are explored and critically assessed. I argue that whether or not the rising prominence of these two words actually means the emergence of a new development agenda is a moot point. It critically depends on the understandings of these ambiguous terms. The thesis adopts a political economy approach. Combined with this is an awareness of the broader historical and socio-economic context in which citizen participation and decentralization take place. The thesis applies these ideas triangulating diverse research methods and data sources. It combines a literature review and documentary analysis, a survey conducted with municipal authorities and civil society organizations in the Eastern Cape as well as structured interviews with Ward councillors and with key informants. From a theoretical perspective, the study lays a foundation for understanding the relationship between development policies outcomes and the nature of citizen participation and decentralization in developing countries. This, in turn, provides a basis from which citizen participation and decentralization in South Africa can be assessed and understood. The thesis presents evidence from a case study of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. By revealing how different dimensions of decentralization and citizen participation operate and intersect, the findings demonstrate, that contrary to common knowledge, citizen participation and decentralization are frequently at odds. Moreover, contrary to frequent statements, the research also shows that opening new spaces for participation in decentralized local governance can result in fewer changes and disappointing results at best, undermining the transformative potential of the concepts of participation and decentralization.