Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Fruit Unit of Tiger Brands is annually responsible for the canning of 75 000 tons of fruit of which apricots constitutes approximately twenty percent. The canning of apricots is subject to a few unique challenges with regard to production planning. The challenges are the unpredictable fruit sizes, unpredictable fruit quality, unpredictable fruit degradation in cold storage, unknown starting date for production and the uncompromisable end of production before Christmas day. These uncertainties led to the fact that no formal production planning for apricots had been done in the previous years of operation. The primary aim of this study is to reduce the risks with regard to production, apricot size and apricot quality by effectively forecasting the expected nett result thereof. This will quantify the resultant products available to marketing personnel and give a measure to evaluate and control production performance. The problem is addressed by organising and presenting historical data such that forecasts of future outcomes would become possible. Clear trends are present on throughput and fruit degradation over time, making forecasting of these two uncertainties quite simple. The forecasting of fruit size is however more problematic, especially because of the lack of sufficient data. It was proposed that the four main fruit size categories be described by using probability distributions fitted over the actual data of the last four years. The large variation on these distributions, probably caused by the lack of sufficient data, rendered this method unsuitable. It was decided that the best estimate of the percentage of each fruit size to be expected, was the average of the derived distributions. The model constructed of the above forecasts is suitable for the estimating of the quantities of specific products that would be available as output from the production process. The model is however not suitable for the evaluation and control of production processes. It is proposed that evaluation and control of production be achieved by using control charts derived from the same historical data. The production control charts are constructed from actual, cumulative production output from the last four years. Linear regression was done on this data to establish a trend line with two sigma limits plotted on the same chart. These charts could be used effectively to monitor daily production output to establish if the commitment towards marketing would be achieved. The lack of data for analysis puts a question mark on the statistical significance of the model. The model is viewed to be a first step in the elimination of uncertainties of raw materials and production variances by making use of historical performance data. The model and control charts will become more and more statistically significant if future actual performance data is incorporated. The model could also be drastically improved if detailed agricultural models for the prediction of apricot size and quality, based on climatic and soil conditions during the growing period were available. The development of such models could be the subject of future studies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Vrugte eenheid van Tiger Brands is jaarliks verantwoordelik vir die inmaak van naastenby 75 000 ton vrugte. Appelkose maak twintig persent van hierdie volume uit. Die inmaak van appelkose is onderhewig aan unieke uitdagings ten opsigte van produksiebeplanning. Die uniekheid is gesetel in die onvoorspelbaarheid van vruggrootte, die jaarlikse verskille in vrugdegradering tydens opberging, die onvoorspelbaarheid van die begindatum van produksie en die absolute vereiste om voor Kersdag produksie te voltooi. Hierdie onvoorspelbaarhede het tot gevolg dat daar tot op hede geen formele produksiebeplanning vir appelkose gedoen is nie. Die primêre doelwit van die studie is om die risiko's ten opsigte van produksie, appelkoosgehalte en appelkoosgrootte te verminder, deur die impak daarvan vooruit te skat. Sodoende sal die produkte wat vir bemarking beskikbaar gestel behoort te word ook beter bekend en beheerbaar wees. Die probleem word aangespreek deur geskiedkundige data sodanig te verwerk en te organiseer dat vooruitskattings daarmee gedoen kan word. Baie duidelike tendense ten opsigte van deurset en vrugdegradering oor tyd is deur middel van die geskiedkundige data waarneembaar, wat vooruitskatting van die twee faktore redelik vergemaklik. Die vooruitskatting van vruggrootte bly egter problematies, veral as gevolg van die gebrekkige geskiedkundige data wat beskikbaar is. Daar is gepoog om die vier gespesifiseerde vruggrootte kategorieë deur middel van waarskynlikheidsverdelings te beskryf, maar die gebrekkige data en groot variasie van die data en verdelings maak die tegniek ongeskik. Gevolglik is daar besluit om slegs die gemiddeld van hierdie verdelings as 'n beste raming te gebruik van die verwagte hoeveelheid van elke vruggrootte. Die model wat uit bogenoemde manipulering van data afgelei word, word gereken geskik te wees vir die raming van hoeveelhede van spesifieke produkte wat vir verkope beskikbaar sal wees. Die model is egter onvoldoende vir produksiebeheer en evaluasie. Produksie evaluasie sal egter met behulp van produksiebeheer kaarte wat ook van geskiedkundige prestasie afgelei is, gedoen word. Die produksiebeheer kaarte is kumulatiewe werklike fabrieksprestasie waardeur 'n regressielyn gepas is, met twee sigma afwykingslyne weerskante van die regressielyn geplot. Hierdie kaarte sal gebruik word om daaglikse produksie prestasie te plot en te interpreteer of die kommitment teenoor bemarkingspersoneel steeds haalbaar sou wees. Die model en die produksiebeheer kaarte is afgelei van slegs vier vorige seisoene se produksiedata. Die tekort aan relevante data plaas die betekenisvolheid van die afleidings dus onder verdenking. Die model en kaarte word beskou as 'n eerste poging om die risiko van grondstof- en produksievariasies te verminder deur die vooruitskatting van die uitsette met behulp van geskiedkundige prestasie. Die model en kaarte sal met die inkorporering van toekomstige seisoenale data meer statisties beduidend word. Die model sou ook verbeter kon word deur detail landboukundige modelle wat appelkoos gehalte en grootte verbind met klimatologiese en grondkundige kondisies tydens die verbouingsproses van die vrugte. Hierdie verbetering word egter voorgestel vir 'n verdere studie onderwerp.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Winemaking is an age-old tradition that dates back to as early as 6000 BC. In our modern era there are several insects and microorganisms that pose a threat to the grapevine, the environment and the final wine product. Farmers and winemakers are becoming aware of the threat and the fight against disease, spoilage and/or pathogenic microorganisms is on the rise. Currently, the natural environment is being altered through rural developments, pollution and disaster, which in turn is responsible for altering the natural micro flora. The result is a harsh battle between man and microorganism. The weapon used often against microorganisms is chemical preservatives, such as sulphur dioxide. These chemical preservatives change the nutritional value, quality and wholesomeness of the wine. Chemical preservatives suppress the quality of the wine with a reduction in wine consumption by the consumers. Until the 18th century, wine was regarded as a safe drink and prescribed by doctors. In the zo" century alcohol consumption became the focus point of some health campaigners. Medical science restored the good name of wine in the 1990s when it came to light that moderate red wine consumption may aid in preventing heart disease and assist in stress management. The only drawback that lowers consumption levels is the use of chemical preservatives. It is of utmost importance to place the focus on health issues and the development of natural preservation methods that are environmentally friendly and contributes to the overall wholesomeness of the wine. Due to these demands, the scientific community placed the focus of research projects on the development and enhancement of biopreservation methods, in order to minimise chemical preservation use. One of the most promising biocontrol agents is bacteriocins. These proteinaceous molecules produced by various lactic acid bacteria exert antimicrobial activity towards closely related organism. Research has shown that bacteriocins may aid in the prevention of wine-spoilage and enhance natural preservation techniques. Most of the research on biopreservation in food and beverages has been performed on the bacteriocins of LAB. No evidence could be found that indicated bacteriocin production by wine isolated LAB in South Africa. This study is therefore, of utmost importance and is considered to be novel pioneering work for the South African wine industry. The main objective of this study was to screen wine isolated LAB for the production of antimicrobial and/or antifungal compounds. This was followed by the isolation and characterisation of the produced bacteriocins. This study forms part of a greater project that focuses on wine preservation, under the auspices of the Institute for Wine Biotechnology.The research results in this study indicated the production of bacteriocins by wine isolated LAB of South African origin. It was found that numerous isolates exerted antimicrobial activity towards other wine associated LAB. The most predominant species that gave the highest activity was Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus paracasei. Experimental results indicated that the bacteriocins produced by these two species were thermo-stable and active over a wide pH range, including the temperatures and pH values that reign in the South African wine environment. The antimicrobial activity was lost after treatment with proteolytic enzymes, such as proteinase K and lysozyme. The size, production and growth kinetic curves of the bacteriocins under investigation showed similar results that are comparable to other findings in the literature. Antifungal activity was detected against Botryfis cinerea that indicated limited inhibitory activity towards spore germination, but had no effect on hyphal growth. This study provides novel information regarding bacteriocin production by LAB isolated from the South African wine industry. The results indicate the suitability of these bacteriocins as possible biopreservatives in the wine environment. The proposed results obtained in this study will aid in the development of bacteriocinproducing, tailored made wine yeast or LAB that may in future, play vital roles in the winemaking process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wynmaak is 'n eeu oue tradisie wat terugdateer tot so vroeg soos 6000 jaar v.C. In ons moderne eeu is daar verskeie insekte en mikro-organismes wat In bedreiging vir die wingerdstok, asook die omgewing en die finale wynproduk inhou. Boere en wynmakers word al hoe meer bewus van hierdie bedreiging, terwyl die stryd teen siektes, bederf en/of patogene mikro-organismes ook aan die toeneem is. Tans word die natuurlike omgewing deur landelike ontwikkeling, besoedeling en natuurlike rampe verander, wat op sy beurt weer verantwoordelik is vir die verandering van mikroflora. Die gevolg is 'n harde stryd tussen die mens en mikro-organismes. Die wapen wat gereeld ingespan word in die stryd teen mikro-organismes, is chemiese preserveermiddels, soos swaweidioksied. Hierdie chemiese preserveermiddels verander die voedingswaarde, kwaliteit en die voedsaamheid van die wyn. Dit onderdruk ook die gehalte van wyn, wat meebring dat minder wyn deur die verbruiker gedrink word. Tot en met die agtiende eeu is wyn deur dokters as 'n veilige drankie voorgeskryf. In die twintigste eeu het alkoholverbruik die fokuspunt van gesondheidskamvegters geword. In die 1990's het die mediese wetenskap wyn se goeie naam in ere herstel toe dit aan die lig gekom het dat In matige verbruik van rooiwyn moontlik hartsiektes kan voorkom en help om stres te beheer. Die enigste nadelige faktor wat verbruikersvlakke verlaag, is die gebruik van chemiese preserveermiddels. Dit is uiters noodsaaklik om die fokus op gesondheidskwessies te plaas en die ontwikkeling van natuurlike preserveermetodes wat omgewingsvriendelik is en tot die algehele voedsaamheid van wyn bydra. As gevolg van hierdie eise het wetenskaplikes die fokus geplaas op navorsingsprojekte vir die ontwikkeling en verbetering van biopreserveringsmetodes met die doelom die gebruik van chemiese preserveermiddels te verminder. Een van die belowendste biokontrolemiddels is bakteriosiene. Hierdie proteïenagtige molekule word deur verskeie melksuurbakterieë vervaardig en oefen anti-mikrobiese aktiwiteit teenoor nabyverwante organismes uit. Navorsing het getoon dat bakteriosiene moontlik kan help in die voorkoming van wynbederf en natuurlike preserveertegnieke kan verbeter. Die meeste van die navorsing op biopreservering in voedsel en drank is op die bakteriosiene van melksuurbakterieë uitgevoer. Geen bewys kon gevind word in Suid Afrika wat bakteriosienproduksie deur wyn-geïsoleerde melksuurbakterieë aangedui het nie. Hierdie studie is daarom baie belangrik en word as baanbreker werk vir die Suid Afrikaanse wynbedryf beskou. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om wyn-geïsoleerde melksuurbakterieë vir die produksie van anti-mikrobiese en/of anti-fungiese substanse te toets. Dit is gevolg deur die isolasie en karakterisering van die geproduseerde bakteriosiene. Hierdie studie maak deel uit van 'n groter projek wat fokus op wynpreservering en wat onder leiding van die Instituut van Wynbiotegnologie uitgevoer word. Navorsingsresultate van hierdie studie dui op die produksie van bakteriosiene deur wyn-geïsoleerde melksuurbakterieë van Suid Afrikaanse oorsrong. Daar is gevind dat verskeie isolate anti-mikrobiese aktiwiteit teenoor ander wynverwante malksuurbakterieë uitgeoefen het. Die oorheersende spesie wat die hoogste aktiwiteit getoon het, was Lactobacillus brevis en Lactobacillus paracasei. Eksperimentele uitslae dui daarop dat die bakteriosiene wat deur hierdie twee spesies geproduseer word, termostabiel en aktief is oor 'n wye pH reeks, insluitende die temperature en pH-waardes wat in die Suid Afrikaanse wynomgewing voorkom. Die anti-mikrobiese aktiwiteit het verlore gegaan na behandeling met proteolitiese ensieme soos proteïnase K. Die groote, produksie en groeikinetika kurwes van die bakteriosiene wat ondersoek is, toon vergelykbare resultate met ander bevindings in die literatuur. Anti-fungiese aktiwiteit is opgemerk teen Botrytis cinerea, wat beperkte inhiberende aktiwiteit ten opsigte van spoorontkieming aangedui het, maar geen effek op hifegroei gehad nie. Hierdie studie verskaf nuwe inligting aangaande bakteriosienproduksie deur melksuurbakterieë wat van die Suid Afrikaanse wynomgewing geïsoleer is. Die resultate dui op die geskiktheid van hierdie bakteriosiene as moontlike biopreserveermiddels in die wynbedryf. Die voorgestelde resultate deur hierdie studie verkry sal help in die ontwikkeling van bakteriosien produserende, spesifiek vervaardigse wyngis of melksuurbakterieë, wat in die toekoms 'n baie belangrike rol in die wynmaakproses sal speel.

Thesis (DMed (Obstetrics and Gynaecology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Chapter 1 is a literature review investigating the incidence of cancer in children and young adults. It describes the most important treatment options including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery and the effect of treatment on future endocrine development and fertility. Different primary cancer sites are discussed in more detail. Chapter 2 is a literature review on the effects of cancer surgery in women and the options for fertility sparing. Cervical cancer and pre-cancer are discussed in detail with options for more conservative surgery in selected patients. A summary of the available published cases of trachelectomy with pregnancy outcomes is included. Other gynaecological cancers requiring surgery are also discussed with reference to conservative options. Chapter 3 is a literature review about the medical (pharmacological) options for protection of ovarian function in patients undergoing oncotherapy. The role of gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogues and hormonal contraceptives in ovarian suppression is discussed in detail. Chapter 4 This chapter examines germ cell physiology with reference to cryopreservation. It includes two major parts. Part 1 is the description of germ cell- and follicle physiology, the principles of cryobiology followed by a review of oocyte cryopreservation and ovarian tissue preservation. Both slow freezing and vitrification techniques are described. The second part of chapter 4 is a report on a randomised controlled evaluation of two different slow freezing cryopreservation protocols. This experimental study compared ultrastructural changes in fresh and previously cryopreserved ovarian cortical tissue after equilibration and thawing using two different cryoprotectants. This is the first randomised investigation into DMSO and PROH as cryoprotectants. Chapter 5 is an investigation into cryopreservation of ovarian tissue as a strategy to protect hormonal function and fertility against gonadotoxic treatment. This chapter consists of two parts. The first part is a thorough literature review of all the published work about grafting of previously cryopreserved ovarian tissue. The largest case series found from a single institution was five patients. Another report of six patients included patients from various sites in Denmark. Part 2 is a description of a cohort of patients followed up after re-implantation of previously cryopreserved ovarian cortical tissue. Follow-up hormone levels of 13 individual cases are described in detail. This is the largest case series ever reported. The experimental study described in Chapter 4 and the clinical study described in Chapter 5 was approved by the ethical research committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, project number N05/10/182. Chapter 6 provides an integrated overview of the incidence and treatment of cancer in young women and how its negative effects may be prevented or mitigated. Aspects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are evaluated where it may affect future reproductive health. The role of oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation is discussed. Guidelines are provided for clinicians. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoofstuk 1 Hierdie is ‘n literatuuroorsig wat die insidensie van kanker in kinders en jong volwassenes ondersoek. Dit sluit die mees belangrike behandelingsopsies in, naamlik chemoterapie, radioterapie en chirurgie en die effek wat behandeling mag hê op toekomstige endokriene ontwikkeling en fertiliteit. ‘n Verskeidenheid kanker tipes word in meer detail beskryf. Hoofstuk 2 Hoofstuk 2 is ‘n literatuuroorsig oor die effekte van kankerchirurgie in vroue en die geleenthede tot beskerming van fertiliteit. Servikale kanker en voorlopers van servikale kanker word bespreek en die opsies vir konserwatiewe chirurgie in uitgesoekte pasiënte word gegee. ‘n Opsomming van die inligting wat beskikbaar is oor tragelektomie en swangerskap uitkomste word ingesluit. Ander ginekologiese kankers wat chirurgie mag benodig, word ook bespreek met verwysing na konserwatiewe hantering. Hoofstuk 3 ‘n Literatuuroorsig oor die mediese (farmakologiese) opsies vir die beskerming van ovariële funksie in pasiënte wat behandeling ontvang vir kanker. Die rol van gonadotropien-vrystellingshormoon-analoë en hormonale kontrasepsie vir ovariële onderdrukking word in detail bespreek. Hoofstuk 4 Hierdie hoofstuk ondersoek kiemselfisiologie met verwysing na vriesbewaring. Dit is verdeel in twee dele. Deel 1 is ‘n beskrywing van kiemsel- en follikelfisiologie en die beginsels van vriesbiologie. Dit word gevolg deur ‘n oorsig van oösiet vriesbewaring en ovariële weefselbewaring. Stadige bevriesing en vitrifikasie- metodes word bespreek. Die tweede deel van hoofstuk 4 is ‘n verslag oor ‘n gerandomiseerde, gekontroleerde evaluasie van twee stadige bevriesingsmetodes. Hierdie eksperimentele studie het die ultrastrukturele veranderinge vergelyk in vars en voorheen bevrore ovariële kortikale weefsel na ekwilibrasie en ontdooiing met twee verskillende vriesbeskermers. Dit is die eerste gerandomiseerde studie oor DMSO en PROH as vriesbeskermers. Hoofstuk 5 Hierdie hoofstuk handel oor ‘n ondersoek na vriesbewaring van ovariële weefsel as ‘n benadering tot beskerming van hormonale funksie en fertiliteit teen gonadotoksiese behandeling. Die hoofstuk bestaan uit twee dele. Die eerste deel is ‘n deeglike oorsig van die literatuur oor al die beskikbare werk wat handel oor terugplasing van voorheen bevrore ovariële weefsel. Die grootste pasiëntreeks van ‘n enkel instelling was slegs vyf pasiënte. ‘n Ander beskrywing van ses pasiënte het pasiënte van verskeie eenhede in Denemarke ingesluit. Deel 2 is ‘n beskrywing van ‘n groep pasiënte wat opgevolg is na oorplanting van voorheen bevrore ovariële kortikale weefsel. Opvolg hormoonvlakke van 13 gevalle word in detail bespreek. Hierdie is die grootste pasiëntreeks wat tot nog toe beskryf is. Die eksperimentele studie wat in hoofstuk 4 beskryf word en die kliniese studie wat in hoofstuk 5 beskryf word, is goedgekeur deur die etiese navorsingskomitee van die Fakulteit Gesondheidswetenskappe van die Universiteit Stellenbosch met die projeknommer N05/10/182 Hoofstuk 6 Hierdie is ‘n geïntegreerde oorsig van die voorkoms en behandeling van kanker in jong vroue en hoe die negatiewe effekte daarvan voorkom of verminder kan word. Aspekte van chemoterapie, radioterapie en chirurgie word geëvalueer ten opsigte van die effek op toekomstige reproduktiewe gesondheid. Die rol van oösiet- en ovariële weefselvriesbewaring word bespreek. Riglyne vir klinici word gegee.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

published_or_final_version / abstract / Real Estate and Construction / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The sculpture of German-born American artist, Eva Hesse (1936-1970), presents many conservation challenges. Hesse’s experimentations with latex and fiberglass created stunningly innovative works of art in the late 1960s bringing these unorthodox materials into the world of fine art; but now these materials are creating major conservation problems. Her artwork is an extreme example of the conservation challenges of contemporary art. This thesis examines the challenges surrounding the conservation and replication of Eva Hesse’s large-scale latex and fiberglass sculptures. The latex and fiberglass materials that captivated Hesse are compromising the structural integrity of her large-scale sculptures today. Hesse’s art forces conservators to establish conservation practices specific to modern and contemporary art. Although replication pushes conservators to re-examine their usual practices and violates the standard notion of minimal intervention, the replication of Hesse’s sculptural works is necessary to represent her artistic vision.

This dissertation examines the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music and the historical and cultural milieu of which it is a part. Held annually since 1994 in the city of Fes, Morocco, this festival was first launched in the wake of the first Gulf War as an interfaith initiative and was conceived with a European and American audience in mind. It was later housed under the aegis of FES-SAISS, an NGO based in the medina of Fes, Morocco. Over time, the festival became both more local and more global, with local residents using the global rhetoric of western democratic ideals and human rights discourses as a way to shape the festival’s local programming. After 9/11 and the May 16, 2003 suicide bombings in Casablanca, the festival took on a new significance as Moroccans began to think of the festival as an event that would counter its own domestic extremism. This dissertation looks at the role of sound and music and its place in This dissertation examines the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music and the historical and cultural milieu of which it is a part. Held annually since 1994 in the city of Fes, Morocco, this festival was first launched in the wake of the first Gulf War as an interfaith initiative and was conceived with a European and American audience in mind. It was later housed under the aegis of FES-SAISS, an NGO based in the medina of Fes, Morocco. Over time, the festival became both more local and more global, with local residents using the global rhetoric of western democratic ideals and human rights discourses as a way to shape the festival’s local programming. After 9/11 and the May 16, 2003 suicide bombings in Casablanca, the festival took on a new significance as Moroccans began to think of the festival as an event that would counter its own domestic extremism. This dissertation looks at the role of sound and music and its place in This dissertation examines the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music and the historical and cultural milieu of which it is a part. Held annually since 1994 in the city of Fes, Morocco, this festival was first launched in the wake of the first Gulf War as an interfaith initiative and was conceived with a European and American audience in mind. It was later housed under the aegis of FES-SAISS, an NGO based in the medina of Fes, Morocco. Over time, the festival became both more local and more global, with local residents using the global rhetoric of western democratic ideals and human rights discourses as a way to shape the festival’s local programming. After 9/11 and the May 16, 2003 suicide bombings in Casablanca, the festival took on a new significance as Moroccans began to think of the festival as an event that would counter its own domestic extremism. This dissertation looks at the role of sound and music and its place in viii Moroccan spiritual traditions and questions how a local religious musical aesthetic produced by the festival impacts interfaith efforts beyond Morocco’s borders as well as local Moroccan conceptions of spirituality. Important components in the shaping of conceptions of spirituality are interactions in the sphere of tourism, and local and international efforts at historic preservation, and in the history of how local musics became world music. Perhaps more than ever before, the preservation of local histories and traditions are co-constructed at a global rather than a local level, where global spheres are new grounds for creating local meaning. In conclusion, this dissertation considers the nature and scope of the impact this festival has as it travels around the globe. / text

This thesis outlines the changing landscape of moving image archives in light of the emergence of new media. Whereas, in the twentieth century, these archives were once responsible for the preservation of endangered films and television programs, I argue that, in the twenty-first century, moving image archives will redefine their value to society not through preservation but through the decisions they make, which will affect not simply the intellectual community but the culture at large. The ways in which moving image archives situate new media materials and extend cooperation between institutions will determine, in large part, the discourse surrounding moving images throughout the upcoming century. / text

In the past thirty years, a growing community has emerged to advocate for the preservation and recognition of home movie collections based on their historical significance. Despite the significant cost of preserving and providing access to these collections and the myriad challenges they pose to archivists and researchers, no substantive research exists that evaluates their actual scholarly use or impact. Through a publication analysis and a survey of the Association of Moving Image Archivists, I sought to determine if there is a difference between whom archivists think should be using home movie collections and who is actually them. Though my findings suggest that home movies have yet to impact the scholarly work of historians, I offer recommendations for future research and professional development that may encourage increased scholarly use as well as increased collaboration between archivists and historians. / text

Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood is one of the last remaining areas of the inner city to have not yet seen large-scale redevelopment. Situated just northeast of downtown, the neighborhood's population is predominantly low- to mid-income African Americans; demographics are similar today as they were during the neighborhood's prime, from the 1920s-60s, when the Fifth Ward was a cultural hub of Houston famous for its musical culture of zydeco and blues. The ward's rich history also has dark spots, however, specifically its longstanding reputation as a center of poverty and violent crime, and its physical vulnerability to damaging floods. Much of the neighborhood's built history is unpreserved and unprotected, at risk of being wiped off the map by both development interests and extreme weather events. By modernizing the city's approach to stormwater management and infrastructure and strengthening its historic preservation and emergency management practices, Houston could help preserve one of its oldest communities, while also decreasing flood volumes, improving air and water quality, saving money, and establishing a pattern of smart growth citywide. In addition, neighborhood level efforts to promote placemaking via preservation and sustainability efforts can help the Fifth Ward leverage the redevelopment process to change its reputation, ensuring a future for the community that respects its past. / text