<p>Using 1991-2003 yearly statistical data from 66 counties in China’s Fujian province, we examine the relationship between GDP/capita levels and the rural-urban income gap, to see whether there exists any statistical relationship between these variables, and if such a relationship bears resemblance with the Kuznets’ “inverted U” hypothesis, predicting inequality to first rise, and then fall, as economic development proceeds. Our results point in the opposite direction; the income gap falls at the early stage of economic growth, but rises again as growth proceeds. This is the opposite of a Kuznets curve. In addition, the income gap is smaller in counties with access to coast, rivers, and highways and a higher proportion of illiterate. Moreover, the income gap is larger in counties with rugged terrain and a higher proportion of ethnic minorities.</p>

Rapid urbanization, which is one of the major problems of contemporary era, created cities as the major destroying centers of nature and ecology by human beings. In this respect, urban agriculture takes place in urban areas as a new way to meet nature and urban for improving the quality of life in the last decades. Despite the belief that agricultural activities always take place in rural areas, agriculture in urban areas would provide citizens many opportunities in terms of social, economic and environmental aspects. This study aims to identify the notions of urban agriculture, and to investigate its economic, social and environmental impacts by exemplifying the different practices around world. It focuses on Black Sea Towns of Turkey in the case of Rize where agriculture is occupied in important parts of urban and rural areas. Unique features of agriculture in urban areas as they differ from other implementations in the world are examined. In this thesis, UA is considered as socio-economic and townscape value in the city. In the case of Rize, urban agriculture appears as an indispensable part of social life that bears the imprint of rural background of the cities.

Using 1991-2003 yearly statistical data from 66 counties in China’s Fujian province, we examine the relationship between GDP/capita levels and the rural-urban income gap, to see whether there exists any statistical relationship between these variables, and if such a relationship bears resemblance with the Kuznets’ “inverted U” hypothesis, predicting inequality to first rise, and then fall, as economic development proceeds. Our results point in the opposite direction; the income gap falls at the early stage of economic growth, but rises again as growth proceeds. This is the opposite of a Kuznets curve. In addition, the income gap is smaller in counties with access to coast, rivers, and highways and a higher proportion of illiterate. Moreover, the income gap is larger in counties with rugged terrain and a higher proportion of ethnic minorities.

<p>This dissertation investigates the varied institutional foundations of local governance in rural China with central emphasis on the role of communal structures and rural-urban migration. Instead of treating indigenously developed institutions (IDIs) and externally imposed institutions (EIIs) as competing variables as in most other contemporary research on local governance, this dissertation develops a theoretical framework exploring the interaction between the two types of institutions in sustaining local governance as well as analyzing how community structural features shape this interaction and influence their respective efficacy in sustaining local governance. With the help of a representative national survey in mainland China in 2008 and carefully selected case studies, this dissertation finds that both indigenous institutions and externally imposed institutions can uphold quality governance in local communities, as long as they can efficaciously solve the problems of collective action and accountability. Close-knit communities favor the operation of indigenous institutions; while externally imposed institutions are relatively more competent in half-open communities. However, neither of them can survive and perform effectively in atomized communities due to the lack of a minimal level of coordination among community members. As outward migration challenges rural communities in an uneven way and transforms communal structures to various extents, it is likely to observe a variety of institutional foundations sustaining local governance in Chinese villages.</p> / Dissertation

none

The primary aim of this study is to explore the connection between rural - urban migration and unemployment in Turkey and examine whether this internal migration has an effect on increasing the unemployment rates. By using Two Stage Least Squares (2SLS) panel data techniques and fully identifying these very concepts: migration from rural areas to urban areas, unemployment and internal migrations effects on the unemployment, an attention will be taken to the (negative) impact of internal migration on unemployment in Turkey.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 405-422).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves [382]-405.

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.