Transit trips include four parts: the trip from the front door to the transit stop; the wait at the transit stop for the transit vehicle; the transit ride; and the trip from the transit drop off point to the final destination. This thesis explores methods of improving the pedestrian trips to and from the transit stop and the waiting period at the transit stop. People are not satisfied with their transit trips. People want better quality waiting areas, increased safety, comfortable surroundings, transit information, and convenience during the transit trip. This thesis explores the positive relationship between the quality of public streets and transit facilities, and ridership satisfaction. The thesis proposes that the transit trip can be improved by improving transit waiting areas, and the paths people take arriving at and departing from transit stops. BC Transit's Vancouver Regional Transit System's transit facilities are the focus of the study. Transit facilities include: bus stops, bus loops, bus exchanges, SkyTrain stations, and SeaBus terminals. The study reviews people's attitudes towards transit facilities and discusses the items that people consider important to a transit trip. This review includes a survey conducted by the author and a review of surveys conducted for BC Transit. A review of the literature provides further evidence on the basic requirements for transit facilities and a comparison is made with the local situation. The thesis explores the potential for land use planning, urban design and on-site design to improve the safety, comfort, and convenience of transit facilities. The role of BC Transit, in providing adequate transit facilities, is discussed along with the roles and responsibilities of other associated organizations including: the Province, the Greater Vancouver Regional District, municipal governments located within the Vancouver Region, private enterprise, and business improvement districts. The study concludes BC Transit should give more thought to the transit customer in the design and location of transit facilities. And that municipal governments must take action to improve the quality of streets and transit facilities in their own communities.

There is a need for better information and an understanding of the process of land use change for effective planning in the Greater Vancouver region. Achieving this understanding is challenging due to the multiple public sector organizations setting land use and infrastructure planning policy in the region. A review of literature and interviews with representatives of public sector planning organizations in Greater Vancouver reveals that a region-wide, GIS-based, land use computer simulation model can provide the information infrastructure for increasing understanding as well as developing shared learning and enhancing communication and coordination between the numerous planning organizations. In order to do this, the model structure should take advantage of advances in GIS technology and the modeling process must be open and participatory to ensure a successful modeling project. More specifically, seven guiding principles are recommended for the development of a GIS-based land use model for Greater Vancouver. These principles define the key elements that a successful modeling project for Greater Vancouver should either contain or address: (1) Should be flexible and adaptable (2) Should be 'understandable' (3) Should be methodologically sound in that the results should be the logical extension of the inputs (4) Should consider the entire functional region (5) Should have an open and participatory process for development (6) Should have clear objectives for the project (7) Planners should be involved in the modeling process Overall, the most important principle to consider is the need for an open and participatory process for development. An open process creates shared learning, acceptance of the model results, and a forum in which stakeholders can explore and debate ideas and alternative futures.

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Along with increasing awareness of the realities of environmental degradation and climate change, governments around the world are now implementing strategies aimed at mitigating and adapting to these changes. While a significant effort is being made to negotiate environmental and climate politics at the international level, the importance of local environmental and climate governance has received more attention recently, as it is acknowledged that both the causes and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation inevitably originate and happen locally. This dissertation aims to contribute to the research on climate change mitigation and adaptation in the African context through the analysis of local environmental and climate governance and governmentality in eThekwini municipality in South Africa. The aim of the study was to explore environmental governmentality in eThekwini municipality, by reflecting on the processes and outcomes of the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign, a part of the Greening COP17/CMP7 programme in Durban in 2011. Within this there were five main objectives: 1) to describe the current state of environmental and climate governance in eThekwini municipality, 2) to identify and explore the factors driving the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign, 3) to describe and evaluate the outcomes of the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign, 4) to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign, and 5) to reflect on how the COP17/CMP7 Responsible Accommodation Campaign reveals the form of governmentality present in eThekwini municipality. The research consisted of three parts; observation of the planning processes of the Campaign, qualitative interviews with key stakeholders in the Campaign, and a questionnaire for a sample of the participants of the Campaign. Through an analysis based on the Focaultian governmentality theory, and Bulkeley and Kern’s (2006) local climate governing framework, the study shows that Durban’s environmental governance is mainly in the form of self-governing and governing through enabling, motivated by the ‘rationalities’ of greening the economy and creating a green event destination brand for the city. While these policies are welcomed by a portion of the private sector, this study has found that a broader aspect of governing modes and ‘technologies’ of rule is needed if the policies are to affect the broader population, in this case the hospitality sector. This requires the city government to continue to take responsibility as a leader of environmental and climate governance, and move towards a mode of governing that also involves the provision of incentives and services that enable more responsible business and individual practices in the city. The findings of this study provide useful insights into the needs of the hospitality sector specifically, as well as the form of governmentality in the city in general, that can inform future climate policy making in Durban. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Issues relating to racial integration in white schools in South Africa during the period 1976-1992 are explored within the South African (historical, social, political) context. The introduction by the state of alternative school models, and in particular the 'Model B' option, is studied with specific reference to its implementation in one high school. Using a generative research design, issues and concerns of participants are fleshed out, and form the basis of surveys and interview schedules administered to 103 students and 33 teachers within the school. Major themes that emerge from student and teacher responses include positive and negative views on racial mixing, and views on curriculum change and development. A major finding of this study is that there is broad support for racial integration within a range of assimilationist rather than integrationist assumptions. Accounts of racial mixing also reveal the pervasive influence of institutionalised apartheid. A further finding of this study is that the experience of racial mixing in this single institution does not necessarily lead to a greater understanding and acceptance of racial and cultural diversity. However, while the introduction of the 'Model B' option can be regarded at best as mildly reformist, it has provided a 'space' wherein racial tolerance and understanding can be enhanced, and has encouraged, to a limited extent, the breakdown of racial and cultural stereotypes. An important conclusion of this study is that schools should be pro-active in providing special programmes that foster cross-cultural understanding, tolerance, and empathy. Recommendations are made concerning academic and social programmes that might promote meaningful integration in moving students away from assimilationist notions that are paternalistic, proprietory, and patronising. While the findings of this case study cannot be generalised to include other schools, it is hoped that given similar circumstances shared by many schools, this study will assist these schools in addressing current issues relating to school integration. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, 1994.

This study explores the perceptions of racial desegregation and integration in schools from the point of view of students in three schools that previously fell under NED, HOR and HOD. Democratization of schools which has coincided with desegregation is also touched on briefly. Schools that previously catered for one race group have had to admit all learners irrespective of race after desegregation. This has encouraged migration of learners from township schools to previously 'coloured' , 'Indian' and 'white' schools in search of spaces. This process of school desegregation which is just a simple mechanical process inevitably leads to a more complex one, racial integration. In each of the schools studied, a questionnaire with items on racial desegregation and integration was given to a grade 11 class and a follow-up interview schedule based on questionnaire responses was drawn. 45 minute interviews were conducted with smaller groups in each grade 11 class and one group per school was used for interviews. The results showed that students are very positive about desegregation, integration and democracy. It became evident that in South Africa, there is a shortage of a strong cadre in integration issues. Students tended to show support for strategies of avoiding issues as evidenced by a strong preference for 'colour blindness' and for students to see themselves as one 'Rainbow Nation'. The results also showed that while racial desegregation was evident among students, the same could not be said about the staff and the school governing bodies. There was a noticeable drop in numbers of students to whom the school previously belonged and an increase of African students. The study also revealed that students know what they want to learn in schools. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, 1999.

This research project explores the relevance of the available urban political geographic literature to understanding mobilization that occurred in opposition to rent increases,and the proposed alteration of a national political boundary in the urban black township of Lamontville. A theoretical extension to the available literature was proposed. The choice of methods of investigation, was informed by the need for geography to be more relevant to the present political climate evident on the urban terrain, as well as the theoretical necessity to interact with individual intellectuals of the organization. As such direct and indirect methods of investigation and data gathering were utilized. These included Participant Observation, In-depth Focus Interviews and a Content Analysis of the media. In the course of investigation it proved enlightening to move beyond the conventional subject/object dichotomy to engage in the moment of reflexive activity (Willis, 1976). The research clarified that the theoretical and methodological innovations suggested were necessary; if the process embodied by the organization was to be understood; if geography was to be capable of contributing to such an understanding; and if this understanding was to be relevant and informative to the investigated organization. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1986.

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