The creation of rural settlement in Brazil is a historical and relational process, a conquest and produced space that the symbolic and functional appropriation is turned into territory. The main objective of this thesis is to analyze the referential that guides the construction of a territorial identity in rural settlements in Sergipe, to obtain multiples configurations of themselves. It was delimited as locus of investigation five of twenty two settlements, and classified by INCRA in phase seven, that the body corresponds to the consolidated settlements. The methodological way used was the qualitative research, based in three points: the construction of the territory, the meaning of territory and the settlement as a space of reference and the sense of being settled. This research was developed in transversal levels of characterization and analysis. A discussion was held about the territory category and its characteristics to comprehend the rural settlements, considered as territories, product and conditions of fights territorialization for lands in Brazil. The agrarian problem in Brazil and Sergipe was analyzed in a way to contextualize the object of study and the settlements studied was taken as a space of experience and reference to comprehend their identities. The delimitation of this research was guided from the comprehension that the construction of identities and territorialities in settlements is historical and relational, because the settled ones build social relations and establish link. The sense of being settled reveals itself as institutional and symbolic content and means not only a territorial category, but also the construction of social and spatial consciousness, that expresses in traditions and translations. This is the process of identity construction in settlements. A dialect that includes functionality and symbology, memory and daily routine, symbols and marks, objectivity and subjectivity. / A criação dos assentamentos rurais no Brasil é um processo histórico e relacional, um espaço conquistado e produzido e que pela apropriação funcional e simbólica é transformado em território. Esta tese tem como objetivo principal analisar os referenciais que norteiam a construção da identidade territorial nos assentamento rurais do estado de Sergipe, tendo em vista as múltiplas configurações na formação dos mesmos. Delimitou-se como locus de investigação cinco assentamentos, dentre os vinte e dois, classificados pelo INCRA na fase sete, que para o órgão corresponde aos assentamentos consolidados. Tomou-se como caminho metodológico a pesquisa qualitativa, ancorando-se em três questões basilares: a construção do território do assentamento, o significado do território: o assentamento como espaço de referência e o sentido de ser assentado. A pesquisa desenvolveu-se em níveis transversais de caracterização e analise. Procedeu-se uma discussão sobre a categoria território e suas características, para compreensão dos assentamentos rurais, assumidos como territórios, produto e condição da territorialização das lutas pela terra no Brasil. A questão agrária no Brasil e em Sergipe foi analisada de modo a contextualizar o objeto de estudo e os assentamentos estudados foram tomados como espaço de vivência e espaço de referência para compreensão de suas identidades. A delimitação da pesquisa guiou-se a partir da compreensão de que a construção das identidades e das territorialidades nos assentamentos é histórica e relacional, pois os assentados ao se fixarem no território constroem relações sociais e estabelecem vínculos de pertencimento e de identificação com o mesmo. O sentido de ser assentado se revela tanto com conteúdo institucional quanto simbólico, pois denota não só uma categoria territorial, mas a construção de uma consciência socioespacial de pertencimento, que se expressa nas traduções e nas tradições. É neste envoltório que demarcamos o processo de construção identitária nos assentamentos. Uma dialética que inclui funcionalidade e simbologia, memória e cotidiano, símbolos e marcas, objetividade e subjetividade.

Waste management is a global challenge due to high waste generation resulting from high industrialization, urbanization and challenges relating to the efficient implementation of waste management policies acts and standards. Although South Africa has established a number of good waste management policies and related acts and standards, most municipalities still find it challenging to efficiently implement waste management strategies. Ekurhuleni Municipality is facing challenges with the implementation of effective waste management strategies and compliance to the National Environmental Management Waste Act (2008), (NEMWA) (Act No 59 of 2008). An evaluation of the gaps that exist between NEMWA and the local implementation in the formal and informal parts of the Ekurhuleni Municipality was undertaken in this study. Data on the waste management scenario as collected through questionnaires, interviews and observations revealed that differences relating to the poor establishment of an integrated approach to waste management exist between NEMWA and the local implementation of the act. This was realized through the fact that there is limited community education on waste management, no waste recycling facilities in some residences, irregular and insufficient collection of waste and non compliance with tariff payments for most informal residents and some formal residents. Differences also exist in the waste management strategies between the formal and informal areas of the municipality primarily due to the fact that the informal settlements are mostly unplanned and considered illegal. According to this study, informal residents are not billed for waste management services and as such most of them do not pay for waste management services. To that end, waste is not efficiently managed due to municipal financial constraints. Waste management challenges in Ekurhuleni Municipality are also attributed to lack of or insufficient knowledge regarding sustainable waste management practices and its benefits amongst the waste generators and some waste management employees. / Environmental Sciences / M.A. (Environmental Management)

This study explored the perceptions of beneficiaries of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) with regard to the role that RDP houses play socially, psychologically, and physically in the lives of occupants after moving from an informal settlement into RDP houses. Given that the said housing programme targets disadvantaged people, it was important to understand their own perceptions of these houses. The study also explored the perceptions of government officials in regard to their experiences relating to RDP houses. A case study approach was adopted and Bronfenbrenner‟s ecological theory of human development was used as the theoretical framework to guide this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with two groups of participants. First, Group A comprised three RDP participants who lived in an informal settlement before relocation to their RDP houses. Second, Group B comprised three participants from the national, provincial and local offices of the governmental human settlements departments respectively. Data were analysed and four main themes as well as the subthemes emerged from the analysis. The four main themes are the bolstered sense of psychological well-being; access to basic services, amenities, and benefits of an improved infrastructure; pride of ownership; and ownership as a form of personal economic development or empowerment. Findings suggested that the participants reflected expressions of joy, a sense of permanence, a feeling of being home, hope for the future, and an absence of worry. These meanings and interpretation of home ownership reflect how the participants identify with their RDP houses and how pleased they are to own a house. Basic services enhance their overall quality of life in relation to their psychological, physical and social well-being. Interestingly, access to socio-economic services and amenities such as connected water and electricity inside The Experience of Moving from an Informal Settlement to a Secure Stable Home 4 the houses, the availability of schools and clinics, transport services, and a habitable environment, were found to play an important role in the lives of the participants. However, factors which hamper the success of RDP housing and compound the hopelessness of living in an informal settlement as well as the problems that RDP home owners encounter, which restrain their pride of ownership are: ambivalence over restrictions or limitations imposed by building regulations, the size of the houses, the poor quality construction, and envy at improvements made to subsequent RDP houses. In conclusion, the findings add to a greater theoretical understanding of the factors contributing to human development and the factors that impede the effectiveness of the housing programme. These factors draw attention to a number of important issues regarding RDP housing, which may assist housing practitioners, and in particular, policy developers, in developing policy that may be more useful in meeting the needs of the people. This could enhance the existing housing programme as well as alert the housing practitioners to existing shortcomings and offer them the opportunity to become acquainted therewith. These factors that impede RDP ownership suggest a need for the government and other relevant stakeholders to engage in the issues that prevent the successful implementation of the housing programme thereby maximising the effectiveness of the housing programme, primarily in order to strive to improve the lives of previously disadvantaged people. / Social Work / MA SS (Psychology)

Kenyan informal settlements have been thoroughly depicted by previous researchers as biophysical, epidemiological, and economic risk environments in which food insecurity is recognised as one of the most persistent everyday challenges. Although unemployment and illness are key contributors to the inability to purchase sufficient food, the reasons why households experience food insecurity are more complicated and not fully understood. Part of the problem is that few previous studies have privileged socio-political contributions (e.g. gender-based power inequalities and the impacts of social networks) to household food security risk. Whilst food security researchers commonly utilise the concept of vulnerability to address household-scale risk, this concept is rarely applied to interpersonal dynamics within households. Using data gathered through participant observation, questionnaires, and 109 in-depth interviews with 67 participants, this thesis provides an ethnographic account of household food insecurity in an informal settlement which addresses three primary questions: (1) In what ways might interpersonal relationships within households contribute social and political obstacles to achieving food security? For instance, how and why might risk for food insecurity emerge from experiences of interpersonal conflict? (2) What role do extra-household social networks play in experiences of food security within households? (3) How useful is the concept of vulnerability for addressing experiences of risk which are negotiated between household members? In the informal settlement of 'Bangladesh', Mombasa, Kenya, conflict within domestic, especially conjugal, relationships represents a potential source of risk to food security for individual members or entire households. Contributing to this conflict are gender inequality, power differentials, the failure to meet marital expectations, and how people respond when presente with risk. Resulting experiences of food insecurity are shown to contribute to further conflict in the household, thereby creating a cycle of conflict and food insecurity. Those who find that they have insufficient food at home may receive assistance (food or money) from members of their social networks. However, these relationships may also contribute to experiences of conflict, and therefore insecurity, within households. Applying concepts of vulnerabilty to account for experiences of risk and their consequences (food insecurity) requires differentiating between what represents a hazard, a response, and an outcome. Within multi-person households, it is exceedingly difficult to divide lived experiences involving interpersonal conflict among these three categories. Thus, I argue that vulnerability is less useful for research concerning intra-household dynamics than it is for studies which assume households to be undifferentiated units.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Legacy systems are standalone computer applications mostly based on old technologies used in many organizations notwithstanding the availability of more streamlined systems and newer applications. The systems are in place due to the fact that it is costly to replace them, and or they respond adequately to users' requests towards the function they are designed to do. Legacy systems play an important role in today's business because they consist of application programs that may not be upgraded and old data which may not be reformatted to suit new systems. Further, these systems are still alive because of their good pedigree and distinct characteristics. If used in silos, the Legacy systems as part of information systems make the sharing of information, security and management controls, a nightmare. As a result, this affects the process of decision making at the operation and top management levels. Synchronization of reports from the different business units becomes a problem and in the long run the whole business is rendered ineffective and inefficient. This study is calling for the need to integrate legacy systems into enterprise resource planning system. Much as this is so, there is still limited understanding of the factors that contribute to the users' acceptance of the integration of these Legacy systems into an Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP SYSTEM). This study therefore sought to determine factors influencing users' acceptance of Legacy systems' integration into an ERP System by taking a case of the National Department of Human Settlements.

Assignment (MA ) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Informal settlements are a common feature of the urban landscape in contemporary South Africa and constitute one of the biggest challenges to urban planning and management at present. The political and legislative changes over the past decade have altered the approach to the management of informal settlements. This study starts out by examining the global trends and theory of urbanization, with special focus on the Third World. The various legal and policy frameworks relating to informal settlement and housing, as well as the implications thereof on urban management, are also examined. The assignment then proceeds to analyze the applicability and effectiveness of structured, formalized planning with regard to the management of informal settlement. The said analysis is followed by recommendations for the management of informal settlement, based on the preceding chapters. These recommendations suggest the following: Planners and authorities should be more proactive m planning for informal settlements. The applicability of individualized services should be reconsidered due to affordability and the inability of individualized facilities to cater for high levels of immigration. The study finally exanunes current strategies employed within the Cape Metropolitan Area, with special reference to the "Fast Tracking" process applied by the Helderberg Municipality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: lnformele nedersettings is 'n algemene gesig in die stedelike landskap van Suid-Afrika en is tans een van die grootste uitdagings in die veld van beplanning. Die politieke en wetlike veranderinge oor die afgelope dekade het groot veranderinge in die benadering en bestuur van inforrnele vestiging tot gevolg gehad. Die werkstuk begin deur die huidige globale neigings en teoriee oor verstedeliking aan te spreek, met spesifieke verwysing na die Derde Wereld. Die verskeie wetlike- en beleidsraamwerke waarin inforrnele vestiging en behuising gereguleer word, asook die implikasies daarvan, word ook bestudeer. Die werkstuk analiseer ook vervolgens die toepaslikheid en effektiviteit van gestruktureerde en geforrnaliseerde beplanning ten opsigte van inforrnele vestiging. Die genoemde analise word gevolg deur sekere voorstelle wat gemaak word aangaande die bestuur van inforrnele vestiging. Hierdie voorstelle sluit die volgende in: Beplanners en owerhede moet meer pro-aktief wees ten opsigte van bestuur en beplanning van inforrnele vestiging Die toepaslikheid van dienste, wat fokus op individuele huishoudings, moet heroorweeg word aangesien dit onbekostigbaar vir beide verbruiker en verskaffer kan wees. Hierdie dienste is ook rue in staat om die invloei van mense te hanteer soos gemeenskaplike dienste nie. Laastens word sekere van die strategiee wat aangewend word in die Kaapse Metropolitiaanse Area ten opsigte van die bestuur van informele vestiging ook bestudeer, met spesifieke verwysing na die "Fast Tracking" proses soos aangewend deur die Helderberg Munisipaliteit.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explored whether co-production of knowledge could contribute to shifting power from government to citizens in an incremental upgrading process. It is premised on the notion that such a shift is desirable. The title of the study Turning points: Exploring power transitions in an incremental upgrading process in Enkanini, Stellenbosch indicates the complex, transient and shifting power dynamics at play in the illegal settlement of Enkanini in Stellenbosch. The study was conducted within a larger transdisciplinary research framework seeking to implement socio-technical innovations, generated through a co-production of knowledge process with settlement residents, to move Enkanini towards becoming a sustainable human settlement. A case study provides an overview of engagement the residents have had with the local Stellenbosch Municipality, NGOs and academic researchers from the Sustainability Institute, Stellenbosch University. It is complemented by the personal narrative of one of the first residents who moved there in 2006. From personal observations, interaction with residents and coresearchers, meeting notes, the literature review and a grounded experience over the three-year study period, four turning points were identified. These four turning points, interpreted as bifurcations that could open up new ways of engaging with the present to determine alternative futures are explored dialectically. The initial problem for each is described, followed by the response and the resultant challenge that emerged. The four turning points were the initiation of the iShack concept, the start of the iShack Project, the iShack stakeholders meeting and the establishment of the Enkanini Research Centre. As power, in both visible and invisible forms, manifested itself in this volatile settlement and in awareness that the researchers role held power and that the researcher’s sets of knowledge, assumptions and prejudices could affect both research process and outcome, there was a need to find complementary methodologies to the main transdisciplinary research framework. Indigenous research methodologies spoke directly to power and the importance of capacity building and empowering research participants (shifting them to coresearchers), while reflexive research methodologies allowed the disciplined reflection and re-reflection to ameliorate influencing of process and outcome. In addition, each overcame the limitations of the other, in particular the limitation of transdisciplinary research that does not take power dynamics into account. This resulted in the creation of a methodological triad and a conceptual mechanism through which to view the results, termed co-arising. The three themes that had emerged during the process – understanding through knowledge co-production, capacity building through the awareness of power dynamics and engagement with the research space – are fused in this notion of coarising served by the methodological triad. The turning points, or bifurcations, were analysed through an “open” coding system used in grounded theory to minimise pre-conditions determining the outcome. Three dominant categories emerged – empowerment, identity and agency – as determinants for shifting power from government to citizens through effective coproduction of knowledge in an incremental upgrading process. The study concludes with recommendations for future research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie wou vasstel of die medeproduksie van kennis kan bydra tot ’n magsverskuiwing vanaf die regering na burgers in ’n trapsgewyse opgraderingsproses. Dit het van die veronderstelling uitgegaan dat so ’n verskuiwing wenslik sal wees. Die titel van die studie, Turning points: Exploring power transitions in an incremental upgrading process in Enkanini, Stellenbosch, dui op die komplekse, veranderlike en verskuiwende magsdinamiek in die onwettige nedersetting Enkanini op Stellenbosch. Die navorsing is binne ’n groter kruisdissiplinêre navorsingsraamwerk onderneem wat toegespits was op die inwerkingstelling van sosio-tegniese innovasies om Enkanini in ’n volhoubare menslike nedersetting te omskep. Die innovasies is deur medeproduksie van kennis in samewerking met inwoners van die nedersetting ontwikkel. ’n Gevallestudie bied ’n oorsig van skakeling tussen inwoners en die plaaslike Stellenbosch Munisipaliteit, nieregeringsorganisasies en akademiese navorsers van die Volhoubaarheidsinstituut aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch. Dit word aangevul deur die persoonlike verhaal van een van die eerste Enkaniniinwoners, wat in 2006 daar ingetrek het. Persoonlike waarnemings, interaksie met inwoners en medenavorsers, aantekeninge by vergaderings, die literatuuroorsig en praktiese ervaring oor die studietydperk van drie jaar het vier keerpunte na vore gebring. Hierdie vier keerpunte kan vertolk word as bifurkasies wat kan lei tot ’n nuwe benadering tot die hede vir die skep van ’n alternatiewe toekoms. ’n Dialektiese verkenning van die keerpunte is gevolglik onderneem. Die aanvanklike probleem word in elke geval beskryf, gevolg deur die reaksie en die uiteindelike uitdaging wat daaruit ontstaan het. Die vier keerpunte was die bekendstelling van die iShackkonsep, die aanvang van die iShack-projek, die vergadering van iShackbelanghebbendes, en die vestiging van die Enkanini-navorsingsentrum. Aangesien sowel sigbare as onsigbare vorme van mag in hierdie onstuimige nedersetting te sien was, en gedagtig daaraan dat die navorser oor ’n magsrol beskik het en die navorser se kennis, aannames en vooroordele die navorsingsproses sowel as -uitkoms kon beïnvloed, moes bykomende metodologieë ter aanvulling van die hoof- kruisdissiplinêre navorsingsraamwerk gevind word. In dié verband het inheemse navorsing direk betrekking gehad op mag en die belang van vermoëbou en bemagtiging onder navorsingsdeelnemers (om hulle as’t ware in medenavorsers te omskep). Oordenkingsnavorsing het weer ’n geleentheid gebied vir gedissiplineerde besinning en herbesinning om enige beïnvloeding van die proses en uitkoms te temper. Daarbenewens het elke benadering die beperkinge van die ander ondervang, veral die geneigdheid by kruisdissiplinêre navorsing om magsdinamiek buite rekening te laat. Sodoende is ’n metodologiese drietal en ’n konseptuele meganisme genaamd mede-ontstaan (“co-arising”) geskep, waarmee die resultate ondersoek kon word. Die drie temas wat gedurende die proses uitgewys is – begrip deur die medeproduksie van kennis, vermoëbou deur ’n bewustheid van magsdinamiek, en betrokkenheid by die navorsingsruimte – is byeengetrek onder die gedagte van mede-ontstaan, wat deur die metodologiese drietal onderstut is. Die keerpunte, of bifurkasies, is deur ’n ‘oop’ koderingstelsel uit gegronde teorie ontleed om die invloed van enige voorafbestaande toestande op die uitkoms te beperk. Hieruit is drie dominante kategorieë afgelei – bemagtiging, identiteit en vrye wil – synde bepalende faktore vir doeltreffende medeproduksie van kennis en die gevolglike verskuiwing van mag vanaf die regering na burgers in ’n trapsgewyse opgraderingsproses. Die studie sluit af met sekere aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Informal settlements in South Africa are home to a large proportion of the country’s population and many of these people live in atrocious conditions which infringe on their basic human rights. It is imperative that the problems synonymous with informal settlements be addressed. Kayamandi is situated on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, a town with abundant financial and human capital and resources. In relation to other informal settlements throughout South Africa, Kayamandi is relatively small. Thus, the progression towards sustainability and development would be deemed to be an easier prospect here than in many other urban areas in South Africa. Evidently, this has not been the case. This thesis identifies the shortcomings in the way that various proponents of development, such as the private and public sectors as well as non-profit organisations, approach development and sustainability in Kayamandi. The research was conducted through an extensive literature review, case study analysis and qualitative research methods. The aim was to: Identify what the main social, environmental and economic issues are in Kayamandi; To analyse policy, plans and programs and to assess whether these have been practically achieved in relation to the stipulated objectives, and; To assess some of the sustainable development initiatives and programs that have been implemented in Kayamandi with the aim of identifying why sustainable development has as yet not been achieved. An extensive literature review sheds light on the nature of poverty and informal settlements, while explaining concepts surrounding sustainable development, good governance and how sustainability as a paradigm holds the key to addressing issues synonymous with informal settlements. It also focuses on how sustainable development can unlock the potential of deprived and informal communities. Subsequent chapters give insight on what is prescribed in national policy, plans and programs; what the current situation in Kayamandi is with regards to environmental and socioeconomic issues, as well service delivery, housing and infrastructure delivery; and how the proponents of development have approached development in Kayamandi. From the research conducted it was found that: There is a lack of good governance; Policy implementation is poor; Developmental initiatives tend to be linear and reactive; There is a lack of innovation; There is poor communication between stakeholder and developmental proponents, which is further exacerbated by tedious bureaucratic procedures, and; There is no clear and comprehensive sustainability framework or plan in place. However, the research indicates that this can be resolved via several mechanisms and through the implementation of several strategies: By building and developing public and community leadership as well as recognising the importance of knowledge in fostering sustainable development; Improving communication and developing appropriate communication networks and feedback loops between stakeholders and proponents of development; Implementing unbiased, proactive and innovative initiatives which address the triple bottom line of sustainability and; By making use of suitable assessments and indicators alongside an appropriate, inclusive and holistic sustainability plan or framework. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Informele nedersettings in Suid-Afrika is die tuiste van 'n groot deel van die land se bevolking en ‘n groot hoveelheid van die mense woon in haglike omstandighede wat inbreek maak op hul basiese menseregte. Die toenemende probleme wat gepaard gaan met informele nedersettings moet aangespreek word. Kayamandi is geleë op die buitewyke van Stellenbosch, 'n dorp met 'n oorvloed van finansiële en menslike kapitaal. Kayamandi, in vergelyking met ander informele nedersettings in Suid-Afrika, is relatief klein. Dus, sou die vordering na volhoubaarheid en ontwikkeling makliker bereikbaar weesgeag word as in ander stedelike gebiede in Suid-Afrika. Klaarblyklik Duidelik is dit egter nie die geval nie. Hierdie proefskrif identifiseer die tekortkominge in hoe die verskillende voorstanders van ontwikkeling, soos die private en openbare sektore tesame met nie-winsgewende organisasies, ontwikkeling en volhoubaarheid in Kayamandi nader. Die navorsing is gehartig deur middel van 'n uitgebreide literatuuroorsig, gevallestudie-analise en kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes. Die doel was om: Te identifiseer wat die belangrikste sosiale, omgewings en ekonomiese kwessies in Kayamandi is; Beleide, planne en programme krities te ontleed in verhouding tot die vasgestelde doelwitte en of hulle in werklikeid bereik was, en; Om deur kritiese beoordeling van die volhoubare ontwikkelings inisiatiewe en programme wat in Kayamandi geïmplementeer is, vas te stel waarom volhoubare ontwikkeling as sulks nog nie bereik is nie. 'n Uitgebreide literatuuroorsig werp lig op die aard van armoede en informele nedersettings, en brei uit oor begrippe rondom volhoubare ontwikkeling, goeie regering en hoe volhoubaarheid as 'n paradigma die sleutel hou tot die aanspreek van kwessies wat sinoniem is met informele nedersettings en hoe dit potensieël opgelos kan word. Daaropvolgende hoofstukke gee insig oor wat in nasionale beleid, planne en programme voorgeskryf word; Wat die huidige situasie in Kayamandi is met betrekking tot die omgewing en die sosioekonomiese kwessies soos goeie dienslewering, behuising en die toestand van infrastruktuur versakaffing, en; Hoe die voorstanders van ontwikkeling tot dusver ontwikkeling genader het in Kayamandi. Daar is gevind dat: Daar 'n gebrek is aan goeie bestuur; Implementering van beleid is swak; Ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe is geneig om lineêr en reaktief te wees; Daar 'n gebrek is aan innovering; Daar swak kommunikasie is tussen belanghebbendes en ontwikkelings voorstanders, wat verder vererger word deur langduige burokratiese prosedures, en; Daar is geen duidelike volhoubaarheids-raamwerk of plan nie. Maar die navorsing dui ook daarop dat die kwessies opgelos kan word deur 'n aantal meganismes, asook die implementering van verskeie strategieë: Deur die opbou en ontwikkeling van openbare en gemeenskapsleiers sowel as die erkenning van die belangrikheid van kennis in die bevordering van volhoubare ontwikkeling; Die verbetering van kommunikasie en die ontwikkeling van toepaslike kommunikasie-netwerke en terugvoerlusse tussen belanghebbendes en voorstanders van ontwikkeling; Implementering van onbevooroordeelde, pro-aktiewe en innoverende inisiatiewe wat die driedubbele lyn van volhoubaarheid aanspreek, en; Deur gebruik te maak van geskikte evaluering en aanwysers saam met 'n gepaste, inklusiewe en holistiese volhoubaarheid plan of raamwerk.

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze cause of disempowerment for the population of Palestine. The design of the research took the shape of a descriptive case study and the method used to fulfill the purpose was a qualitative text analysis. The material used for the study derives from various books and research journals on the Israeli-Palestine conflict, but most of all observational reports from international organizations. The theory used is a multi-dimensional one and is Friedmann’s (dis)empowerment model where five mechanisms; defensible life space, surplus time, knowledge and skills, instruments of work and livelihood and financial resources have been used as the analytical framework. The conclusion of the study is that there are several factors causing disempowerment following the analysis or the theoretical mechanisms respectively. These are connected to armed hostilities between Israel and Gaza, settlement expansions in the West Bank and the occupational status of Palestine. Supported by the material analyzed, these infringements need to cease combined with exterior help in order for the situation to markedly improve.

The research contained in these papers embodies both results from direct archaeological investigation and also the development of techniques (geophysical, chronological and geoarchaeological) in order to understand long-term settlements and their associated landscapes in Orkney and Shetland. Central to this research has been the study of soil management strategies of arable plots surrounding settlements from the Neolithic to the Iron Age. It is argued that this arable system provides higher yields in marginal locations. The ability to enhance yield in good years and to store surplus can mitigate against shortage. Control and storage of this surplus is seen as one catalyst for the economic power of elite groups over their underlying or 'client' population. The emergence of a social elite in the Iron Age, building brochs and other substantial roundhouses of near broch proportions, is seen as being linked to the control of resources. Evidence at the site of Old Scatness indicated that there was a continuity of wealth and power from the Middle Iron Age through the Pictish period, before the appearance of the Vikings produced a break in the archaeological record. The Viking period saw a break in building traditions, the introduction of new artefacts and changes in farming and fishing strategies. Each of the papers represents a contribution that builds on these themes.