The main aim of this thesis is to analyse the local and regional government system in the Czech and Slovak Republic and to hand over a clear outline of major differences within a mixed and separate model of public administration practice. The script is divided into five chapters which are further compartmentalised. The first chapter is dedicated to general questions, terms and principles related to topic of the thesis, especially defining local and regional model of public administration and its main features. Beside the strengths, this part also points out some partial problems related with applying both models of public administration. The second chapter is bringing in a brief excurse into relation of state administration and self-government from the beginning, since year 1848, till the Velvet Revolution in year 1989, pointing out the evolution of public administration models. Emphasized is the evolution of local and regional public administration after the year 1989, being analysed by author within the chapters three to five, presenting a core of whole thesis. The third chapter is dealing for most with the reconstruction of local territorial self- government and description of social-historic circumstances under which the new legal regulations emerged. Thesis did not neglected the local state...

A presente dissertação tem por objetivo a análise do direito à moradia, bem como suas relações com outros elementos que ajudam a compor o complexo de relações que denominamos cidades. Destaca-se o tema em partes definidas. De início é desenvolvida a construção do direito à moradia como direito fundamental social, o que possibilita a exigência de atuação do Estado para a efetivação do direito. As violações perpetradas ao direito à moradia ao longo da história da sociedade brasileira são igualmente tratadas, permitindo a percepção de que o déficit habitacional é o resultado de longos períodos de políticas públicas equivocadas e desvirtuadas. Em continuação ao estudo do direito à moradia, são tratadas as interferências do desrespeito ao direito à moradia nos demais aspectos da cidade e dos indivíduos, como a segregação social e territorial e o recuo da cidadania. Por fim, algumas propostas de solução ao problema habitacional atualmente em andamento são analisadas, em especial os programas de regularização fundiária e o programa Minha Casa Minha Vida. A análise dos mencionados programas objetiva demonstrar que nenhum deles possui efetivas chances de êxito se não foram acompanhados de programas de estrutura urbana que controlem a especulação imobiliária. Nesse sentido, existe a real possibilidade de a sociedade exigir a efetiva atuação e comprometimento do Estado, com a adoção das medidas necessárias à efetividade dos programas habitacionais e, com eles, do direito à moradia. / This dissertation aims at analyzing the right to housing, as well as its relations with other elements that help make up the complex of relations that we call cities. Of note was the issue in parts defined. To start, it developed the construction of housing rights as fundamental social rights, which allows the requirement of state action for the realization of the right. The abuses of the right to housing throughout the history of Brazilian society are also addressed, allowing the perception that the housing deficit is the result of long periods of misguided public policies and undermined. Continuing to study the right to housing, are treated the interference of disrespect for housing rights in other aspects of the city and individuals, as social segregation, territorial and retreat of citizenship. Finally, some proposed solutions to the housing problem currently under study are analyzed, in particular the programs and the program of land regularization My Life My House. The analysis of such programs aimed to demonstrate that none of them have actual chances of success if not been accompanied by programs of urban structure, preventing the real estate speculation. In this sense, there is a real possibility of society require the effective participation and commitment of the State, with the adoption of measures necessary to investigate the effectiveness of housing programs, and with them the right to housing.

A presente dissertação tem por objetivo a análise do direito à moradia, bem como suas relações com outros elementos que ajudam a compor o complexo de relações que denominamos cidades. Destaca-se o tema em partes definidas. De início é desenvolvida a construção do direito à moradia como direito fundamental social, o que possibilita a exigência de atuação do Estado para a efetivação do direito. As violações perpetradas ao direito à moradia ao longo da história da sociedade brasileira são igualmente tratadas, permitindo a percepção de que o déficit habitacional é o resultado de longos períodos de políticas públicas equivocadas e desvirtuadas. Em continuação ao estudo do direito à moradia, são tratadas as interferências do desrespeito ao direito à moradia nos demais aspectos da cidade e dos indivíduos, como a segregação social e territorial e o recuo da cidadania. Por fim, algumas propostas de solução ao problema habitacional atualmente em andamento são analisadas, em especial os programas de regularização fundiária e o programa Minha Casa Minha Vida. A análise dos mencionados programas objetiva demonstrar que nenhum deles possui efetivas chances de êxito se não foram acompanhados de programas de estrutura urbana que controlem a especulação imobiliária. Nesse sentido, existe a real possibilidade de a sociedade exigir a efetiva atuação e comprometimento do Estado, com a adoção das medidas necessárias à efetividade dos programas habitacionais e, com eles, do direito à moradia. / This dissertation aims at analyzing the right to housing, as well as its relations with other elements that help make up the complex of relations that we call cities. Of note was the issue in parts defined. To start, it developed the construction of housing rights as fundamental social rights, which allows the requirement of state action for the realization of the right. The abuses of the right to housing throughout the history of Brazilian society are also addressed, allowing the perception that the housing deficit is the result of long periods of misguided public policies and undermined. Continuing to study the right to housing, are treated the interference of disrespect for housing rights in other aspects of the city and individuals, as social segregation, territorial and retreat of citizenship. Finally, some proposed solutions to the housing problem currently under study are analyzed, in particular the programs and the program of land regularization My Life My House. The analysis of such programs aimed to demonstrate that none of them have actual chances of success if not been accompanied by programs of urban structure, preventing the real estate speculation. In this sense, there is a real possibility of society require the effective participation and commitment of the State, with the adoption of measures necessary to investigate the effectiveness of housing programs, and with them the right to housing.

Master's thesis focuses on a role of regional councillors in process of regional development at the case of Karlovy Vary region. The aim of the thesis is to determine how the process of regional development is influenced by the stability of regional elites in terms of their territorial distribution in the region and their time stability in the subsequent regional elections. The thesis is based on theoretical background related to regional development with emphasis of soft factors of development in context of institutional approaches. The important part of the thesis represents analysis of inner differentiation of the model area and explanation of its causes. The original research consists of two parts. The outcome of the first part is an extensive database of candidates elected into regional assemblies of the Czech Republic in periods of 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012; and analysis of changes in membership structure of those regional assemblies. In the second part regional identity, attitudes and motivation of current regional councillors of Karlovy Vary region and their influence on the development of the region were examined by a questionnaire. The research conclusively proved a relatively high stability of regional elites of Karlovy Vary region in time, but a very low stability of their territorial...

There is increasing interest in linking food system policies and land use planning practices to healthier diets and healthier communities. Little is known about the process of regional food system policy making or the impact of planning and policy decisions in shaping community food environments, including healthy retail opportunities. The Region of Waterloo’s (ROW) Regional Official Plan (ROP) was adopted in 2009 and includes a progressive commitment to support the regional food system through actions to facilitate access to healthy, local food. The policies point to the multiple health, environmental, and local economic benefits of a strong and diverse regional food system and include efforts to: protect the Region’s agricultural land; permit a full range of agriculture- and farm-related uses on agricultural land (to support farmer viability); provide a mix of uses, including food destinations, within close proximity to each other; permit temporary farmers’ markets; and support community and rooftop gardens. The purpose of this research was to examine Waterloo Region’s policy and planning environment as a case study for ‘what works’ with respect to potential points of intersection for improving public health goals and addressing other community priorities. This was achieved by obtaining multi-sectoral perspectives on the ROP’s regional food policies, current food system planning practices at the local level, and access to food. The objectives of this research were: (1) to examine the process of food system policy making in Waterloo Region through multi-sectoral perspectives and to identify the key contextual factors, facilitators and barriers at the individual-, organizational- and system-levels; (2) to identify current planning policies and practices that affect the location, promotion and establishment of healthy retail outlets; (3) to describe the role and motivation of new and existing regional food system participants, including the Region’s Public Health (PH) and Planning (RP) Departments and other key food system stakeholders, in contributing to food system change; and (4) to develop a conceptual framework to illustrate the process of food system policy making and features of food system change at the regional level. In-depth, semi-structured interviews (n=47) were conducted with regional decision makers (n=15); regional and local staff experts in public health and planning (n = 16); and regional food system stakeholders (n=16). Food system stakeholders included local food producers, retailers and distributors, and representatives from other levels of government and community interest groups. Participants were recruited primarily through expert and snowball sampling and a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) was established with academic experts and representatives from PH and RP to help guide early stages of recruitment and research. Two interview guides were used and adapted from earlier tobacco policy work in the Region. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and constructivist grounded theory methods were used to code and identify emerging themes from the data. Key overarching themes and sub-themes related to food system policy making and food system change included: “strategic positioning” and its underlying sub-themes of “aligned agendas”; “issue framing” and “visioning” which emerged as important ways to influence and affect policy and environmental change. The significance of “local and historical context”, “partnerships”, “multi-sectoral participation” and “knowledge transfer” also contributed to an improved understanding of food system change in Waterloo Region. “Legitimacy” was noted to be a concern in the absence of an appropriate mandate to address food system issues however by engaging in “partnerships”, one’s ability to participate ‘legitimately’ in food system change improved. An important finding was that “food access” had different meanings to participants and may reflect the various lenses through which local food system concerns are viewed. A number of key facilitators of food system policy making were identified and included: food system champions; politically astute leaders; a common issue frame; a collaborative partnership between PH and RP; external partnerships with the community; and food- and agriculture policy networks. Several key barriers to food system policy making included: new areas of practice for PH and RP staff; limited capacity to act without committed partners; inter-jurisdictional relations and tensions with municipal planners; and dominant ‘cheap food’ values. Local-level barriers affecting healthy retail access related to gaps in regional food system coordination and legislative planning support and pointed to an important disconnect between the Region’s vision for the regional food system and the current planning realities at the municipal level. Early signs of policy and environmental change to improve access to healthy food can be seen as evidence of PH’s commitment, groundwork and capacity building efforts over the past decade and their strategic alignment with other regional priorities and partners. These findings can be used to support ongoing community planning considerations in Waterloo Region and to inform similar food policy and planning initiatives in other jurisdictions. A G.E.N.E.R.A.T.E. Change Model was developed as an 8-Step guide for multi-sectoral collaboration and policy and environmental change at the regional level. Steps include: (1) ‘grounding the work’ (groundwork); (2) engaging multi-sectoral stakeholders; (3) negotiating positions and partnerships (establishing legitimacy); (4) exchanging knowledge (ideas and policy options); (5) recognizing points of intersection for policy and environmental change options; (6) aligning agendas, establishing a common issue frame, and setting a vision for change; (7) transferring expert knowledge to decision makers; and (8) evaluating policy and environmental change. At a time when there is mounting interest and consideration of possible food policy strategies at federal, provincial and regional-levels in Canada, findings from this research serve as an important example of how multiple cross-sectoral benefits can be achieved through coordinated and collaborative action.

There is increasing interest in linking food system policies and land use planning practices to healthier diets and healthier communities. Little is known about the process of regional food system policy making or the impact of planning and policy decisions in shaping community food environments, including healthy retail opportunities. The Region of Waterloo’s (ROW) Regional Official Plan (ROP) was adopted in 2009 and includes a progressive commitment to support the regional food system through actions to facilitate access to healthy, local food. The policies point to the multiple health, environmental, and local economic benefits of a strong and diverse regional food system and include efforts to: protect the Region’s agricultural land; permit a full range of agriculture- and farm-related uses on agricultural land (to support farmer viability); provide a mix of uses, including food destinations, within close proximity to each other; permit temporary farmers’ markets; and support community and rooftop gardens. The purpose of this research was to examine Waterloo Region’s policy and planning environment as a case study for ‘what works’ with respect to potential points of intersection for improving public health goals and addressing other community priorities. This was achieved by obtaining multi-sectoral perspectives on the ROP’s regional food policies, current food system planning practices at the local level, and access to food. The objectives of this research were: (1) to examine the process of food system policy making in Waterloo Region through multi-sectoral perspectives and to identify the key contextual factors, facilitators and barriers at the individual-, organizational- and system-levels; (2) to identify current planning policies and practices that affect the location, promotion and establishment of healthy retail outlets; (3) to describe the role and motivation of new and existing regional food system participants, including the Region’s Public Health (PH) and Planning (RP) Departments and other key food system stakeholders, in contributing to food system change; and (4) to develop a conceptual framework to illustrate the process of food system policy making and features of food system change at the regional level. In-depth, semi-structured interviews (n=47) were conducted with regional decision makers (n=15); regional and local staff experts in public health and planning (n = 16); and regional food system stakeholders (n=16). Food system stakeholders included local food producers, retailers and distributors, and representatives from other levels of government and community interest groups. Participants were recruited primarily through expert and snowball sampling and a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) was established with academic experts and representatives from PH and RP to help guide early stages of recruitment and research. Two interview guides were used and adapted from earlier tobacco policy work in the Region. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and constructivist grounded theory methods were used to code and identify emerging themes from the data. Key overarching themes and sub-themes related to food system policy making and food system change included: “strategic positioning” and its underlying sub-themes of “aligned agendas”; “issue framing” and “visioning” which emerged as important ways to influence and affect policy and environmental change. The significance of “local and historical context”, “partnerships”, “multi-sectoral participation” and “knowledge transfer” also contributed to an improved understanding of food system change in Waterloo Region. “Legitimacy” was noted to be a concern in the absence of an appropriate mandate to address food system issues however by engaging in “partnerships”, one’s ability to participate ‘legitimately’ in food system change improved. An important finding was that “food access” had different meanings to participants and may reflect the various lenses through which local food system concerns are viewed. A number of key facilitators of food system policy making were identified and included: food system champions; politically astute leaders; a common issue frame; a collaborative partnership between PH and RP; external partnerships with the community; and food- and agriculture policy networks. Several key barriers to food system policy making included: new areas of practice for PH and RP staff; limited capacity to act without committed partners; inter-jurisdictional relations and tensions with municipal planners; and dominant ‘cheap food’ values. Local-level barriers affecting healthy retail access related to gaps in regional food system coordination and legislative planning support and pointed to an important disconnect between the Region’s vision for the regional food system and the current planning realities at the municipal level. Early signs of policy and environmental change to improve access to healthy food can be seen as evidence of PH’s commitment, groundwork and capacity building efforts over the past decade and their strategic alignment with other regional priorities and partners. These findings can be used to support ongoing community planning considerations in Waterloo Region and to inform similar food policy and planning initiatives in other jurisdictions. A G.E.N.E.R.A.T.E. Change Model was developed as an 8-Step guide for multi-sectoral collaboration and policy and environmental change at the regional level. Steps include: (1) ‘grounding the work’ (groundwork); (2) engaging multi-sectoral stakeholders; (3) negotiating positions and partnerships (establishing legitimacy); (4) exchanging knowledge (ideas and policy options); (5) recognizing points of intersection for policy and environmental change options; (6) aligning agendas, establishing a common issue frame, and setting a vision for change; (7) transferring expert knowledge to decision makers; and (8) evaluating policy and environmental change. At a time when there is mounting interest and consideration of possible food policy strategies at federal, provincial and regional-levels in Canada, findings from this research serve as an important example of how multiple cross-sectoral benefits can be achieved through coordinated and collaborative action.

This thesis deals with an analysis of the economic performance of the Pardubice region and with an evaluation of a selected regional development project. It is divided into two parts. Firstly, the historical development and the current status of local governance in the Czech Republic are defined in the theoretical part. Further, the definition of regional policy with the emphasis on the role of the region in regional development is provided. Final section of the theoretical part is dedicated to the financial aspects of local governance, particularly to detailed description of the income and expenditure components of the budget. The analytical part of this thesis begins with the characteristics of the Pardubice region, especially from the geographical and socio-economic perspectives and continues with the analysis of economic performance of the Pardubice region in the period 2011 -- 2013. A comparison of the indebtedness of this region with other regions and the national average is added. Final part of the thesis provides an assessment of the selected regional development project called "Effective Public Administration and Friendly Public Services -- Smart Administration".

No description available.

Construction and operation of cross-boundary transportation infrastructure is a challenge at the local, state, and international levels. Trends in travel patterns show increases in travel demand in both the United States and Europe resulting in greater attention to cross-boundary infrastructure and services. In the United States, this challenge has arisen most frequently in provision regional transit services and infrastructure while Europe is faced with a challenge of connecting its member-states. One question that remains unknown is whether when governments are faced with providing cross-boundary infrastructure or services, do they develop similar organizational arrangements when meeting these challenges regardless of what level of government is involved? This research asks whether governments at all levels of governance develop similar organizational solutions in the construction and operation of transport infrastructure. This question is answered through an examination of regional transit provision in seven U.S. metropolitan areas, six commuter rail systems in the United States, a series of bi-state river highway bridges in the United States, and five cross-border segments of the Trans-European Transport Network in the European Union, three similar organizational arrangements types were found to govern cross-boundary provision of transportation infrastructure and/or services. These three types, an independent entity, an intergovernmental agreement or contract, or direct financial payment, were found at all levels of governance. The research suggests that there is a relationship between the complexity of the service involved the level of financial control indicating that more complex operations such as network of services requiring day-to-day operation tend to be arranged as independent entities with various levels of public and/or private financing.

The thesis analyzes economic performance the Vysočina Region, while the main focus is on the means of financing of regional development. The work is dividend into two parts. Theoretical section discusses significance and functioning of a local government in the Czech Republic and basic aspects of implementation of regional policies within international, national and regional context. The analytical part of the thesis overviews economic performance of Vysočina Region in the 2010 -- 2012 period, which was characterized by budget surpluses due to conservative budgetary policy. Secondly, the section is devoted to Vysočina's Development Programme, whereby support for regional advancement is being secured. Last but not least, it is commented on matters restraining regional advancement, such as weak services sector, thin presence of so-called high-tech industries, low proportion of college-educated population etc.