The dis-integration of the Soviet Union has led to changes in agricultural and natural resource management in the Central Asian successor states. These changes affected not only the international and national levels of governance but also the provincial and local level governance of the different republics. The focus of the research is on institutional change at the local level in the agricultural sector in Uzbekistan. The study area is located in the downstream regions of the Amu Darya basin, in the Khorezm province and the Karakalpakstan republic. Since the year 2000 a small number of state and collective farms have been privatised and farm organisations and water users associations have been established. The thesis deploys political theory, social theory and new institutional economics to analyse and examine institutions and institutional change and to analyse local level transformations. Particular attention is given to key stakeholders in the agricultural sector and in water management organisations at the local and provincial levels and to how they implemented the change. The main findings of the thesis first, confirm that institutions reduce negotiation and discourse costs by providing a structure for contention and accommodation. However, the findings indicate that institutions also have negative effects, because they reflect and reinforce old power relations and therefore can be exploited to serve the interests of privileged former stakeholders. The second main finding is that institutions and their ability to effect change is determined by the power of influential stakeholders, who enable or reject change. The findings of the thesis are important for those developing strategies for the creation of bottom-up movements, and also for the social engineering and reengineering of larger institutions and organisations. The findings will be especially significant for those involved in land and water reform processes and in the privatisation of governmental industries.

As Rural Development assumes a greater importance in European policy, one strategy to stimulate economic activity across a broad range of sectors is to use small towns as a focal point for economic development. This may be particularly relevant in the UK where there is increasing concern over the future vitality and viability of these towns. However, such a strategy rests on the assumption that there is a strong level of interdependence between small towns and their surrounding areas. While their historical legacy suggests close integration, developments in the wider economy and resultant socio-economic restructuring have undermined the traditional functions of small towns and may have severed many of these local linkages. Methodologies are developed to measure the size and spatial distribution of economic linkages in and around two small towns in rural England; one located in the 'remote' area of South Devon, and one in more 'accessible' Buckinghamshire. Results from two validation exercises indicate that self-completion methods are a useful means of obtaining spatial economic data from producers and consumers. Analysis compares the degree of economic integration of the towns into their respective local economies, and identifies key characteristics of firms and households that are good predictors of strong local integration. Results show that the strength of local economic integration is a function of economic and demographic structure as well as proximity to urban centres. This illustrates that the functional role of small towns in the economy is a more useful criterion on which to base policy recommendations than is demographic size. The town in the 'remote' rural area is found to be more strongly integrated into its locality than the town in the 'accessible' area; indicating that benefits of intervention are more likely to 'trickle out' into the surrounding area in the former case. Further, the minimal role of agriculture in the local economy implies that traditional measures of farm support are no longer likely to provide a valuable method of supporting rural communities. A useful area for subsequent enquiry would be to employ an 'integration index' to develop settlement typologies so that more generalisations can be made to aid the process of policy formulation.

Over the last thirty years Cornwall has experienced a dramatic population expansion. Population growth has had effects in many areas, but particularly in housing. The increased demand for housing from those migrating into the area has inflated house prices, yet the Cornish economy is afflicted by low wage levels and high unemployment rates, creating a 'mortgage gap' for long term residents. This coupled with the decline in availability of both publicly and privately rented accommodation has resulted in what has been termed a housing 'crisis' (George 1987, Deacon et al. 1988, Lennon 1991, Williams 1993). It has been suggested that this 'crisis' has resulted in a 'two tier' housing system, recent inmigrants generally enjoying better housing chances than longer term residents of Cornwall (Williams, 1993). Furthermore, it has been suggested that much of Cornwall's housing problems remain 'hidden' having been absorbed into existing household structures. The research presented in this thesis aimed to assess the housing circumstances and chances of both recent in-migrant and long-term residents in order to discover if they do in fact differ. Whether or not housing need was being absorbed into existing household structures was also explored, as were the reasons why. It was found that the housing circumstances and chances of recent in-migrants are generally better than those of long-term residents and that this was as a result of the distinctly different economic characteristics of the groups. Housing need was also found to be to a large extent 'concealed'. This was mainly young adults who were unable to set up independent households as a result of a lack of affordable accommodation. The research suggests that families remain a source of support and assistance to their members in relation to housing, but that the type of support given varies according to occupational class and economic means which might serve to disadvantage long-term residents still further in the future.

Climate change threatens the integrity of many parks and protected areas worldwide. Mountain parks are amongst the most vulnerable, facing changes in temperature, hydrology, glaciation, fire frequency, and pest and disease outbreaks. Species migration is a key tool in climate change adaptation, but often physical and jurisdictional fragmentation makes it impossible for species to migrate, putting species at risk of extirpation or extinction. Transboundary collaboration and regional planning are tools that can help physically connected parks and protected areas overcome jurisdictional fragmentation and allow for species migration, giving species a greater chance at being able to adapt to climate change. However, there are many barriers to transboundary collaboration and regional planning that makes this difficult to achieve. This research aims to address the challenges parks face with regards to transboundary collaboration and regional planning, and provide possible solutions for overcoming these challenges. A qualitative research project was conducted to determine the state of transboundary collaboration and regional planning in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, using Jasper National Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, and Willmore Wilderness Park as the study area. A document review, questionnaire, and Importance-Performance Analysis were conducted to determine: the current policy within the Parks Canada Agency, British Columbia Parks, and Alberta Parks in regards to the management implications of climate change; the degree to which transboundary collaboration and regional planning are occurring in and around the study area with regard to climate change; the challenges parks face with regards to transboundary collaboration and regional planning; how these challenges should be addressed; and to determine what park agencies and managers need to be able to participate in transboundary collaboration and regional planning. Ultimately, it became clear that while transboundary collaboration is a potentially effective tool for climate change adaptation, little transboundary collaboration is occurring within the study area. In order for this to occur, all parks must have appropriate legislation, policies, and plans in place; British Columbia Parks has these, but both Parks Canada and Alberta Parks do not. Parks planners and managers are not able to put priority on transboundary collaboration until it is mandated within the management plans. However, parks managers are supportive of transboundary collaboration for climate change and it seems likely that the parks will use this tool as it becomes increasingly necessary over the next 25 years.

Bibliography: leaves [348]-367. / Microfiche. / x, 367 leaves, bound ill., maps 29 cm

Planning, specifically resource management, is an activity of the state which should seek to reflect the values of the people. However, in New Zealand, only the values of the dominant Pakeha culture have traditionally been considered by decision makers. As a result, resource management in New Zealand has developed as a monocultural institution. This thesis addresses the issue of monoculturalism in New Zealand�s planning regime. The aims of this thesis are twofold: (1) to examine the argument that New Zealand�s planning is monocultural, and has traditionally ignored the needs and aspirations of Maori; and (2) to examine the current resource management system in New Zealand in order to establish the basis for a bicultural approach to planning. These aims were addressed in two principal ways. First, a critical review of literature provided comprehensive background on the relationship between Western and non-Western cultures. Second, in depth interviews were held with both Maori and non-Maori involved in resource management structures. Data from these interviews illustrate Maori opinion on the current resource management system in New Zealand. The thesis concludes that biculturalism is the only legitimate structure for state policy in New Zealand. This conclusion is based primarily on the relationship established between the indigenous Maori and the Pakeha settlers through the Treaty of Waitangi. This study also found that the current resource management regime in New Zealand is incapable of supporting a bicultural resource management approach. Radical reforms are needed in order to facilitate bicultural planning. The thesis concludes by proposing changes to the current regime which will facilitate a bicultural approach to New Zealand planning.

Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2000

Thesis (MReg & UrbPlan)--University of South Australia, 2000

Community gardens have been shown to have positive social, nutritional and educational benefits for their users, and improve the amenity, safety and patronage of the surrounding area. They also tie into wider themes of sustainability and food security. Despite these benefits, urban planners, as the keepers of land and determiners of land use, have had little to do with community gardens. This thesis will explain the benefits of community gardens, and detail planning policies throughout the world that support community gardens. Lastly, recommendations will be made on how the South Australian planning system can better support community gardens. / Honours Thesis

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