In order to address problems caused by widespread squatting, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has recently introduced legislation which grants a leasehold title to squatters on State lands, subject to certain conditions. The adoption of such regularization measures rests on the belief that granting squatters legal title to the land they occupy, and thus providing them with security of tenure, will create an incentive for squatters to invest in their dwellings and in their community, and will facilitate access to credit. / This thesis critically examines these assumptions, bringing to bear on this reflection the results of a survey conducted in two squatter settlements in Trinidad. In so doing. it explores the role of law in development and, further, it questions the capacity of law to guide and modify social behaviour.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

The purpose of this thesis is: (1) to review the airport development and transportation policy of the United States (U.S.); (2) to provide an overview of the U.S. constitutional doctrines evolved under the Supremacy and Commerce Clauses, and their respective applications in the case law; (3) to review the regime of federal regulation of airport noise; (4) to examine the State Legislature's emphasis on "aeronautical progress" in the New Jersey State Aviation Act of 1938, as amended; (5) to examine the role of the State Aviation Act in zoning on and around airport land; and (6) to provide a detailed, thematic examination of relevant New Jersey and federal case law in this area.

This dissertation examines the response and design of reinforced concrete core-slab-frame structures subjected to monotonically increasing earthquake and gravity loads throughout the entire load range until failure, presenting findings from three separate studies by Manatakos and Mirza (1995) continuing the M. Eng. thesis research by Manatakos (1989). A typical building is selected consisting of a central core substructure composed of elevator, staircase and infilled slab cores, with coupling and lintel beams, and surrounding slabs joining to a frame substructure composed of slab-band girders, slabs and columns. / Stage 1 concentrates on the elastic response and Stage 3 examines the nonlinear response of the core-slab-frame structure considering the effects of cracking and crushing of concrete, strain-hardening of the reinforcement, and tension-stiffening. Analyses involve three-dimensional elastic and nonlinear finite element modeling techniques of the structure to investigate the contribution and influence of the various structural components. The structural response is examined for the deformations, the concentrated reinforcement strains and concrete stresses in the cores, the force and stress distributions in the structural members, and the failure mode. / Stage 2 focuses on the design and detailing of the core-slab-frame structure following seismic provisions of building code requirements for reinforced concrete structures where applicable as given in the CSA Standard CAN3-A23.3-MS4 (1984), the ACI Standard ACI 318M-83 (1983) and the New Zealand Standard NZS3101 (1982). Assumptions made in the conventional design procedures and any shortcomings encountered are examined. Suitable design procedures and reinforcement details are suggested where no provisions exist in the codes. / Findings demonstrate complex three-dimensional interaction among the cores, beams, slabs and frames in resisting the lateral and gravity loads, and show considerable strength, ductility and energy absorption capability of the structure. Critical areas for design include the joints and junctions near the vicinity of core wall-slab-beams ends and corners. Plastic hinging extends over the lower 2.5% to 33% height of the structure with the majority of inelastic action and damage concentrated in the bottom 10% to 15% height, predicting an ultimate load of 3.4 to 5.9 times the design earthquake load with top drifts of the structure between 750 mm to 1375 mm.

The dissertation has three major objectives. The first is to examine the relation between the nature and trajectory of urban and regional planning in South Africa, and developments within the, South African political economy of which it is an integral part. The second is to contribute to the sparse literature on the history of urban and regional planning in South Africa. The third is to consider the historical record on and the prospects for facilitating progressive social change through planning in South Africa. An empirical analysis of the history of urban and regional planning for the period 1900 to 1988 provides the basis for the achievement of all three objectives. In attempting to fulfil the first objective Sate emphasis is placed on examining the relationship between territorial apartheid and planning. The experiential basis of the distinction often made between planning and apartheid by South African planners is explored. The conclusion reached is that whilst a distinction between the trajectory of professional town planning and territorial apartheid is sustainable, there has also been a very substantial measure of articulation. Special emphasis is also given to examining the relationship between planning and the specific nature and history of the accumulation process in South Africa. In this regard it is concluded that the accumulation process has bone both an indirect and direct relation to planning at different junctures. At times the trajectory of accumulation has simply provided a context which has affected the definition of social priorities and placed limits on what could be pursued through planning. At other times the momentum of accumulation has quite directly affected planning, providing opportunities for or requiring responses from planners. As far as the record on the social role played by planners is concerned, it is concluded that planning has not cut a particularly progressive profile. The emergence of a progressive planning movement in South Africa is however noted. Possibilities for pursuing progressive practices are identified against the background of a detailed analysis of the contemporary period. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1989.

No abstact available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

<p>This research and methodology develop a set of statistical measurements to evaluate sustainability &mdash; in terms of desired high urban density, walkability for community amenity and convenience for everyday life &mdash; at the level of urban design for the cities of Chicago, USA and Taipei, Taiwan. The method, based upon GIS (Geographical Information System) technology, is used at this spatial level and for this type of academic study for the first time. The research analyzes and compares the percentage of each city's population living within the "Quarter Mile Radius Sphere of Influence" (QMSI) for three classes of community amenities: parks, public elementary schools, and subway stations. The new and unique statistical data obtained in this thesis show a great disparity between the two cities. </p><p> 1. Chicago has 31.98% of its population living within the QMSI of public elementary schools. Taipei has 49.64% of its population living within the QMSI of public elementary schools. </p><p> 2. For subway stations, Chicago has only 8.09% of its population living in the QMSI, while Taipei has 25.99%. </p><p> 3. For urban parks, Chicago has 44.06% of its population living in the QMSI, while Taipei has 88.80%. </p><p> Further, based upon comparison, this research also discovers that the "sweet spot" areas &mdash; intersection of the QMSIs of all three community amenities &mdash; are mostly distributed along subway lines. With this indication, the research visualizes and supports the objective of improved public transit and walkability as key factors for sustainability in urban design in this case. The research also demonstrates the usefulness of GIS technology's new application in urban design studies for the future. The research shows that this new method has applicability for academic studies in other urban contexts, and for future international urban design and planning. </p>

In the central highlands of Iceland, the implementation of new measures to delimit property rights spatially and to establish new regional management plans have caused debates over the use of natural resources with regard to their exploitation, protection and ownership. This study has tried to highlight how to resolve the debate over the use of natural resources and over the definition of land ownership in Iceland with respect to traditional user-rights and ownership practised by local communities. The answer to these questions are particularly important for marginal local communities that use the commons as pasture for sheep grazing because they will directly be affected by hydropower plants and ecotourism projected by the regional development plans. Collecting data through personal interviews and analyzing legal documents with regard to ownership rights and regional planning have been the principal approaches. Firstly, the thesis discusses the theoretical context of conflict resolution within the future developmental plans for Iceland's central highlands. Secondly, the historical and traditional aspects of locally based agricultural production and the social System practiced in the commons are explored. Thirdly, the new rules for the application of the management of resources, ownership rights as well as for the management of national hydropower energy projects are analyzed. In this case, the tools for territorial conflict resolution and the process of territorial planning are discussed in their relation to the construction of hydropower plants in the commons of the Fljótsdalur valley, located between the highlands and the fjords of the eastern region. Finally, the case of Fljótsdalur is presented by focussing on the conflicting interactions between interests in and values given to either the traditional ownership rights or the regional plans for developing tourism and hydroelectric power. The results indicate tensions over how natural resources of the central highlands should be used. There is also a noticeable difference among the various lobby groups with respect to the level of comprehension of what is the area's significance for the country and its resource development. The results obtained show that monetary compensation or clarification of ownership rights is not sufficient for territorial conflict resolution. More important, rather, is the coordination of regional planning procedures, in a way which enhances cooperation among local institutions, and recognizes the interests and values that local community's associate with their environment.

It is likely that in the near future, energy engineering will be required to help society adapt to permanently constrained fuel supplies, constrained green house gas emissions, and electricity supply systems running with minimal capacity margins. The goal of this research is to develop an analytical approach for adaptive energy systems engineering within the context of resource and environmental constraints. This involves assessing available energy resources, environmental and social issues, and economic activities. The approach is applied to a relatively simple case study on Rotuma, an isolated Pacific Island society. The case study is based on new data from field work. A spectrum of development options is identified for Rotuma and a reference energy demand is calculated for each representative level. A spectrum of conceptual reference energy system models is generated for each energy service level with a range of renewable energy penetration. The outcome is a matrix of energy system investment and resource utilization for the range of energy service levels. These models are then used for comparative risk assessment. The result is an easily understood visual based investment and risk assessment for both development and adaptation to constrained resource availability. The results show a clear development opportunity space for Rotuma where needs and services are in balance with investment, local resource availability and environmental constraints.