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<p>The significance of housing as a tool of economIC development is often underestimated. Whereas many policy-makers, economic development analysts, and international agencies have for a long time recognized the social importance of housing, few have typically recognized the utility of the sector in promoting and achieving economic development goals. And yet, the housing sector is a major force in the process of economic development. Investment in housing activities generates employment and income. Good housing helps raise output of labour and thereby expand productivity. An effective housing finance system also contributes to savings and to mobilization of financial resources in any economy.</p> <p>The nature of these effects, and allocation of resources to the sector, have been debated by academics, international agencies, and national policy-makers since the mid- 1940s. The views expressed on the subject have evolved and changed to reflect shifts in development theory, in values, and in the global economic environment. However, little research has been conducted to systematically trace the relationship between housing policy and economic development within a historical context. Through a study of international agencies - namely, the United Nations and the World Bank - and a case study of Ghana, the current study addresses this neglect.</p> <p>The study draws on a wide range of sources. The principal sources of data used for international agencies include published and unpublished working papers, annual reports, and development reports. The case study of Ghana is based on key policy documents, newspaper articles, legislative debates, and interviews with selected public officials and private individuals. Overall, the research demonstrates that the ways in which housing is conceptualized in the development process have changed significantly over the past five decades. Nevertheless, the research also shows a number of discrepancies between rhetoric and practical actions, especially discrepancies pertaining to allocation of investment resources.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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An aggregation model which allows specification of primary particle size, density, and fractal dimension for two different particle types was written. Three stickiness values are used, the stickiness of each particle type to itself and the stickiness between particle types. Aggregation mechanisms considered include differential settling and turbulent shear. The model is used in three forms. In its simplest form, it operates on a closed system with aggregates breaking up when their size approaches the Kolmogorov scale. If the system begins with two types of primary particles, larger aggregates have uniform composition. A second version of the model includes removal of aggregates by settling. In this mode, the stickiness parameters dominate aggregate characteristics. Stickiness between similar particles controls the ratio of the particle type, whereas interparticle stickiness controls the particle removal rate. In the third form, three aggregation models are connected by a Rouse type suspended sediment model. This version models aggregate dynamics in the water column. Comparison of model results with total suspended sediment data and particulate organic carbon data from a site near the Poquoson River suggests that organic and inorganic constituents of suspended sediment do not stick together well. The dissertation also describes a new type of aggregation device called the rotating oscillating grid turbulent aggregation chamber (ROGTAC). This device combines the advantages of two types of aggregation devices which are commonly used, the oscillating grid device and the rolling cylinder device. Oscillating grid turbulence generators are preferred for creating uniform isotropic turbulence. However, when particles more dense than the fluid are placed in them, the particles settle out. Rotating cylinder devices are effective at keeping particles in suspension. They do this by keeping the fluid in them in solid body rotation, but in this mode the fluid is not experiencing shear. ROGTAC places an oscillating grid in one end of a rotating cylinder. The hydrodynamic characteristics were investigated using laser Doppler velocimetry. Turbulent energy dissipation rates calculated from LDV data agreed well with energy input calculated by applying the quadratic drag law to the grid.

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Many of the facets of fallow deer introduction to the United States have previously received considerable attention. Significant factors concerning naturalization have been studied in part, but no previous attempt has been made to investigate the range of this animal nor to compare the various habitats into which it has been introduced with its native land. This study was undertaken for that purpose. An attempt was made to investigate naturalization on the basis of herd growth in a given environment. Climate, vegetation and topography for certain study sites were compared with the same features in the native range. The results show the wide range of adaptability of this interesting animal.

The investigation of the problem in this paper dealt with performing an examination of the landscape of the humid tropical wet-dry savanna region of the Llanos of Colombia, in an attempt to record a cultural imprint of man in the twentieth century in that environment. Fieldwork involving two summer traverses of the Llanos yielded an inventory of fresh factual documentation about how man has adapted to and utiliizes this environment. Implementing the ecosystem concept as expressed by Barrows and Hegen, both man and the physical environment were studied to gain as complete a picture of the Llanos as possible. Data was collected and codified pertaining to the daily life of the colonists. Man was found to be interactive with, and therefore an influence upon, the natural environment. He was further found to be making and attempting to improve his level of living in his adaptation and adjustment to the environment. Low levels of diet, health, and education were found to be serious problems for the llaneros.

Orientador: Walter Malagutti Filho / Banca: Antônio Celso de Oliveira Braga / Banca: César Augusto Moreira / Banca: José Domingos Faraco Gallas / Banca: Robson Willians da Costa Silva / Resumo: Necrochorume é um efluente gerado a partir da decomposição de corpos. Em áreas de cemitério, a principal causa de poluição subsuperficial é a sua percolação, que altera significativamente o solo impedindo-o de realizar suas funções naturais. Particularmente no Brasil, pela falta de planejamento consequente do histórico cultural, os cemitérios se localizam totalmente integrados à malha urbana, representando um problema de saúde pública. O necrochorume pode causar contaminação dos solos e águas subterrâneas, devido à presença de elementos, tais como compostos nitrogenados, metais pesados, vírus e bactérias, com riscos inerentes à saúde humana. Na bibliografia, essa presença de contaminantes no ambiente geológico muitas vezes resultou em baixos valores de resistividade quando comparados a uma área que não impactada. A presente pesquisa objetivou investigar qualitativamente o meio físico subsuperficial do cemitério, para reconhecer eventuais alterações, correlacionáveis às presenças de contaminantes (necrochorume), através da inter-relação entre as respostas geofísicas e os resultados analíticos dos poços de monitoramento e assim, subsidiar pressupostos indicativos de anomalias geofísicas no cemitério municipal de Rio Claro, São Paulo. Portanto, o presente trabalho apresenta e discute os resultados de aplicação de Imageamento Eletromagnético (usando Geonics EM34) e método de resistividade elétrica, utilizando as técnicas de Sondagem Elétrica Vertical, (Schlumberger) e Imageamento Elétrico 2D/dipolo - dipolo e Gradiente. Foram definidos dois estratos geoelétricos principais, referentes à geologia local - Formação Rio Claro e Formação Corumbataí e os resultados dos ensaios permitiram a definição de três classes principais de faixas de resistividades que deram margem às interpretações sobre possíveis áreas contaminadas. São elas: baixos valores de resistividade como áreas... / Abstract: Cemetery slurry is an effluent generated from the decomposition of organic bodies. In cemetery areas, the major cause of subsurface pollution is its percolation, which significantly alters the soil features limiting its functional performance. Particularly in Brazil, due to a historical lack of consequent planning, cemeteries are mostly located fully integrated into the urban fabric, representing a public health problem. The slurry can cause contamination of soil and groundwater due to the presence of nitrogen compounds, heavy metals, viruses and bacteria, and others risks to human health. In the literature the presence of contaminants in the geological environment often resulted in low resistivity values when compared to not affected areas. This research aimed to qualitatively investigate the subsurface of the cemetery in Rio Claro, São Paulo, to identify any changes, correlated with contaminants by inter-relationship between the geophysical responses and analytical results on monitoring wells in order to subsidize indicative assumptions of geophysical anomalies. This paper presents and discusses the results of application of Electromagnetic profiling (using Geonics EM34) and electrical resistivity method, using the Vertical Electrical Sounding techniques (Schlumberger) and 2D Electrical profiling / dipole - dipole and Gradiente. Two geoelectric main layers were defined, related to the local geology - Rio Claro Formation and Corumbataí Formation. Test results allowed the definition of three major classes of resistivity ranges giving rise to interpretations of possible contaminated areas. They are: (i) low resistivity values as potentially impacted areas; (ii) intermediate resistivity values, as transition areas, with possible influence of the contaminant; (iii) and high resistivity values, such as areas without physical changes in the environment represented by natural geological conditions. Such interpretations are discussed and ... / Doutor