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This research examined the effectiveness of microfinance on welfare of rural households in Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape through an administered survey. The study targeted fifty households based on convenience sampling technique and used a number of welfare indicators but selected food consumption patterns; roof, floor and walls of the main dwelling house; cooking fuel used and transport, livestock and household appliances and electronics asset ownership patterns to derive household welfare index. The derived household welfare index of those households which have had microfinance access was then compared with that of those households that have never accessed microfinance. The general idea was that microfinance access would result in relatively higher welfare. The study found microfinance access to have a significantly high impact t highly on household welfare index of those households that had participated in microfinance in Ngcobo. The higher household welfare index meant that microfinance beneficiaries had relatively higher protein consumption patterns, used more durable material for roofs, wall and floors of their main dwellings, had better asset ownership patterns in particular variety of household appliances and electronics. The study also found that there are other control variable such as employment, age, household size and education that interfere with access to microfinance. Lastly, the study also found that that distance of a household from a microfinance outlet or institutions plays a significant hindrance factor in microfinance access. In other words, those households in Mjanyana and Clarkebury, which are situated within more than 40 kilometres from the microfinance institutions, had lower microfinance access. Based on the findings, the study recommends that policy makers in the province pay attention in refining the policy to ensure that control variables identified to interfere with microfinance access do not close out the intended beneficiaries of microfinance. Also, the study recommends that policy makers and microfinance institutions be innovative in ensuring those in deep rural areas are offered the same opportunity to access microfinance within Ngcobo, despite their distance from the microfinance outlets.

Due to the fast-pace of urban development, there is a large demand for labor in big cities in China. Also, because of a huge income gap between countryside and cities, an increasing number of youths in rural areas have chosen to leave their homes and transfer to the cities causing a rapid decline of population and the vacancy of properties. This phenomenon is referred to as “Hollow Village”. Especially in case of some remote historic villages, due to labor turnover, villages which has precious historic and culture value are abandoned and stopped from development. Only children and elders are left in those villages without prospects. Ling is among those backward areas. It has held a vital place in Huizhou culture during the history of Chinese rural settlements and contains a few ancient villages which share some common but features while being distinctive. However, with the lag of population and development, it is gradually losing its style and forgotten by moderns. This district needs to be preserved and developed while its feature is protected. This thesis will analyze Ling’s current living conditions, tracing to its cultural and social changes through history and seeking to find architectural solutions, also by offering strategies that can lead to the revitalization of the place, while simultaneously creating some economic stimulations. The thesis aims to developing people’s sense of belonging and identity towards such villages, in the hope of revving as a prototype for other remote villages in China.

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The inner-ring suburbs of major metropolitan areas such as Washington, DC are either being redeveloped already or are poised to be redeveloped over the next several decades. The engineered 'gray' infrastructure networks in these areas, largely put in place between 100 and 75 years ago, are aging and reaching the end of their useful life. New developments are being funded by real estate investment trusts and developers and are being welcomed by municipalities and a public that are often genuinely inspired to create the more livable places of the future. Such redevelopments provide a unique opportunity not to just import new 'green' features, but to reimagine the fundamental connections between ecological, human, and non-human systems within the fabric of the larger community in a way that profoundly improves the cognitive experience of a place for the people and wildlife that reside there. The project begins by recognizing this opportunity and posing a question. Through thoughtful design, how can we bring people back into balance with their environment and back into touch with each other? By working with the cultural and built fabric of a place, the project proposes to reintroduce ecological systems and create places that might not be a perfect clean slate but are somehow just right for the people that live there. The project proceeds first by developing an understanding of the overall ecological context for each of four primary development corridors in Virginia, west of Washington, D.C. across the Potomac River. Then, key intersections between stream systems and the development corridors are identified and assessed to determine (a) whether any existing landscape framework surrounding the stream feature is in place and (b) whether the amenities necessary to support a walkable Urban Village center are present within a half mile in each direction along the route. The project proposes a design for revealing a continuous flow stream channel currently piped underground and creating integrated stormwater detention basins along the historic stream channel path at the headwaters of Spout Run in northern Arlington County Virginia. Stormwater mains downstream from the headwaters have already been deemed below capacity for the unprecedentedly intense storms that have become an annual occurrence. Here, the major transportation and development corridor, Route 29 (Lee Highway), just across the Potomac River west of Washington D.C, crosses Glebe Road and a unique geological formation, dubbed for this thesis as the 'Headwaters Plateau'. It is an intersection between historically significant transportation routes as well as a unique intersection between landscape and the built environment. Around the Headwaters Plateau, not just Spout Run but the waters of four other streams begin their path to the Potomac River, flowing through numerous Arlington County neighborhoods along the way. As redevelopment plans take shape for the Lee Highway corridor through northern Arlington County, this thesis proposes the unique intersection between the Headwaters Plateau at Spout Run Gap along Route 29 as the site for the core of a modern Urban Village, with the Plateau and the Spout Run Headwaters Channel as the landscape framework around which the redeveloping Village should be built. / Master of Landscape Architecture / This thesis proposes a design for revealing a continuous flow stream channel currently piped underground and creating integrated stormwater detention basins along the historic stream channel path at the headwaters of Spout Run in northern Arlington County, Virginia. Stormwater mains downstream from the headwaters have already been deemed below capacity for the unprecedentedly intense storms that have become an annual occurrence. Here, the major transportation and development corridor, Route 29 (Lee Highway), just across the Potomac River west of Washington D.C, crosses Glebe Road and a unique geological formation, dubbed for the purpose of this thesis as the 'Headwaters Plateau'. It is an intersection between historically significant transportation routes as well as a unique intersection between landscape and the built environment. Around the Headwaters Plateau, not just Spout Run but the waters of four other streams begin their path to the Potomac River, flowing through numerous Arlington County neighborhoods along the way. As redevelopment plans take shape for the Lee Highway corridor through northern Arlington County, this thesis proposes the unique intersection between the Headwaters Plateau at Spout Run Gap along Route 29 as the site for the core of a modern Urban Village, with the Plateau and the Spout Run Headwaters Channel as the landscape framework around which the redeveloping Village should be built. Through design, this thesis is an investigation of the potential integration of ecological systems such as stream hydrology into the design of modern 'Urban Villages' with the intent to create impactful individual experiences that provide a shared sense of connection within the community to its surrounding landscape. Throughout the country, redevelopment plans are focused on creating increased-density 'mixed-use' communities within existing urban and suburban areas - often called Urban Villages in the lexicon of the New Urbanism planning theory. This represents a move away from the predominant approach of separation of land use zoning practices. Such redevelopments provide a unique opportunity to not only import new 'green' features, but to reimagine the fundamental connections between ecological, human, and non-human systems within the fabric of the larger community in a way that profoundly improves the cognitive experience of a place for the people and wildlife that reside there.

The population of adults over age 65 in the United States is expected to reach 89 million by 2050. This population growth will increase demand for aging services at the local and federal levels. Older adults are remaining in their homes in increasing numbers and are part of a paradigm shift that is transferring healthcare services from a centralized institutional model to a decentralized home-based model. However, a majority of homes older adults reside in lack basic accessibility features and are in predominantly suburban locations that have limited transportation options. Villages, a multi-faceted aging support program, were established to address limitations encountered by older adults as they age in their homes and communities. These volunteer-based, membership organizations are becoming a popular and rapidly adopted community-based intervention, but research on Villages has been limited. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine how two groups of older adults living in a suburban Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) aged in community. One group belonged to a Village and the other did not. The theory of residential normalcy provided the theoretical framework for examining how the older adults adapted to their environments through service use and support. Data analysis from interviews revealed four themes: access to information among the Village members and nonmembers; the role of social networks; useful services when aging in community; and the importance of trusted guidance as provided by the Village director. Because Village members have access to additional and consistent support sources, may be better able maintain residential normalcy and therefore age in community longer and more safely than non-members. / Ph. D. / The population of adults over age 65 in the United States is expected to reach 89 million by 2050. This population growth will increase demand for aging services at the local and federal levels. Older adults are remaining in their homes in increasing numbers and are part of a paradigm shift that is transferring healthcare services from a centralized institutional model to a decentralized home-based model. However, a majority of homes older adults reside in lack basic accessibility features and are in predominantly suburban locations that have limited transportation options. Villages, a multi-faceted aging support program, were established to address limitations encountered by older adults as they age in their homes and communities. These volunteer-based, membership organizations are becoming a popular and rapidly adopted community-based intervention, but research on Villages has been limited. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine how two groups of older adults living in a suburban Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) aged in community. One group belonged to a Village and the other did not. The theory of residential normalcy provided the theoretical framework for examining how the older adults adapted to their environments through service use and support. Data analysis from interviews revealed four themes: access to information among the Village members and nonmembers; the role of social networks; useful services when aging in community; and the importance of trusted guidance as provided by the Village director. Because Village members have access to additional and consistent support sources, they may be better able maintain residential normalcy and therefore age in community longer and more safely than non-members.

submitted by Li Yuen Kwan, Fiona. / Thesis submitted in: December 1999. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 222-227). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Chapter Chapter One --- Introduction --- p.1 / Formation of Study and Theoretical Considerations --- p.1 / Methodology --- p.5 / Theoretical Framework and the Research Question --- p.8 / Generation Gap and Cultural Gap --- p.12 / A Synopsis of the Present Thesis --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter Two --- The Change: Before and After --- p.26 / Historical Review of the Changing Village --- p.26 / Lineage Villages in South China and Hong Kong --- p.29 / The Lineage Organization --- p.37 / The Change --- p.48 / Chapter Chapter Three --- The Present: A Study in Ping Shan --- p.54 / History of Settlement and Life in Ping Shan --- p.54 / Rituals --- p.71 / Economics --- p.87 / Gender Issue --- p.92 / Outsiders Inside the Lineage --- p.100 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Generation Gap Among Villagers --- p.104 / Identity --- p.109 / Case 1: The Father and His Generation --- p.115 / Case 2: The Sons and Their Generation --- p.119 / The Never Happened Divergence --- p.144 / Collectivity vs. Individuality --- p.152 / Suppressive vs. Expressive --- p.156 / Power Conflicts Inside the Lineage --- p.160 / Chapter Chapter Five --- The Generation Gap as Part of a Large Cultural Gap --- p.163 / Chapter Chapter Six --- The Significance of Lineage Village Today --- p.181 / The Meaning of Tradition --- p.181 / The Meaning of the Village --- p.197 / Different Meanings for Different Groups --- p.200 / Chapter Chapter Seven --- Conclusion --- p.210 / Identity and Meaning --- p.210 / A New Understanding about Culture --- p.219 / References --- p.222 / Chapter Appendix A --- Maps and Floor Plans / Chapter Appendix B --- Photos / Chapter Appendix C --- Calligraphy

La Chine traditionnelle était une société fortement agricole dans laquelle la plupart du peuple habitait les villages. Ceux-ci, constituant chacun un monde en soi, montraient une grande diversité sous différents aspects. Les caractéristiques de la Chine rurale résident surtout dans les vieux villages. Et la répartition des agglomérations en Chine que l'on voit aujourd'hui résulte d'une évolution trimillénaire. Si la notion de patrimoine est très ancienne en Chine, celle de sauvegarde de patrimoine, patrimoine bâti en particulier, est beaucoup plus récente. Concernant la protection des agglomérations, les actions d'Etat ne sont qu'une réalité de trois décennies, visant d'abord les "Villes célèbres" (1982), ensuite les "Quartiers historiques" (1986), et enfin les "Bourgs et Villages célèbres" (2002). Accentuée par les multiples classements aux différents échelons administratifs, la protection des vieux villages en Chine connaît une série de paradoxes et reste une mission lourde et longue. Malgré les reproches entendus, la mise en tourisme peut être un choix et assurer les moyens de la protection des vieux villages. Le cas de Xidi montre un double processus de patrimonialisation et de mise en tourisme débutant au milieu des années 1980. Marquée par la gestion d'une entreprise de propriété collective, à l'initiative des élites du village et sous le pilotage de ceux-ci, la mise en tourisme de Xidi change profondément le village. Elle témoigne du développement d'une diversité de conflits entre les différents acteurs sur place. Ceux-ci, ajoutés à d'autres crises, mène le modèle de Xidi à sa fin au bout de 27 ans de pratique. Cependant, la "réforme" imposée par les gouvernements locaux n'arrive pas à calmer le village et les controverses autour de la protection et la mise en tourisme de Xidi comme de beaucoup d'autres vieux villages chinois restent vives et nombreuses. / Traditional China was a highly agricultural society where the majority of people lived in villages. Each village constituted a miniature world, which showed great diversity at all levels. All the characteristics of rural China mainly remained in ancient villages. The settlement distribution structure, as we see today, is the product of continuous evolution in three thousands years. The concept of heritage appeared in China in early times. But heritage protection, in particular, the concept of architectural heritage protection in China was more closed to now. As for settlement protection, history of action from government could be merely traced back to three decades. These actions first of all came out for " Famous Cities" (1982), and then for "Historical Blocks" (1986) and finally for "Famous Town and Village" (2002). The protection of ancient villages in China focused on the lists published with different names and levels, facing a series of paradoxes and with long way to go. Despite enormous criticism, tourism utilization is still one of the alternatives in the protection of ancient villages. The case of Xidi showed the double process of heritage and tourism development, which started in the Mid-1980s. Under the advocation and leadership of local village elites, Xidi tourism development implemented the management of collective ownership enterprise. The entire development witnessed the profound changes in the village and various conflicts among different actors. All sorts of conflicts and crisis accompanying eventually lead to the end of Xidi mode after 27 years practice. Xidi, however, has not been in peace due to the reform imposed by the local government, there still has been intense and widespread controversy surrounding Xidi as well as many other Chinese ancient villages

Le présent travail a pour but d’étudier le village ouvrier textile de New Lanark (Écosse), fondé en 1785, aujourd’hui classé au patrimoine mondial de l’humanité et célèbre pour sa réputation d’usine « modèle » en vertu de son association avec Robert Owen (1771- 1858), lui-même considéré comme le « père du socialisme britannique ». Il soulève l’hypothèse que cette mythification doit être réhistoricisée afin d’en éclairer le sens et la portée, tant pour être déconstruite que reconstruite. Tout d’abord, l’histoire du village ouvrier doit être replacée dans celle de la Révolution industrielle, afin d’éclairer les spécificités de cette forme de peuplement, dont l’identification à des modes de gestion dits « paternalistes » n’est pas des moindres. L’examen de ce creuset paternaliste éclaire également les fondements et la formation de la pensée d’Owen, qui prend appui sur le terrain de New Lanark afin de se livrer à une expérience en matière de réforme sociale. Deuxièmement, le village ouvrier doit être étudié en lui-même, afin de confronter ses dynamiques internes à la mise en pratique des politiques patronales. Troisièmement, nous envisagerons New Lanark à l’aune des réceptions dont il a fait l’objet, alors qu’Owen lance une campagne de promotion de sa doctrine aboutissant à la fin des années 1820 à la formation du premier socialisme britannique. Le statut de précurseur conféré à New Lanark et à son dirigeant sera également analysé au regard de l’affiliation de ce dernier au champ du « socialisme utopique ». Il est dès lors possible d’envisager une mise en tradition faite de processus stratégiques où, en dépit de ses excentricités supposées, et en vertu de sa politique patronale éclairée à New Lanark, Owen a été intégré au canon socialiste comme fondateur d’un courant national distinct du marxisme. / This thesis examines the textile industrial village of New Lanark (Scotland). Founded in 1785 and now a World Heritage site, it is mostly renowned for its reputation as a « model » factory, thanks to its association with Robert Owen (1771-1858), himself considered the « Father of British socialism ». It argues that such myth-making must be studied in context in order to grasp both its scope and significance, submitting it to a deconstruction and reconstruction process. Firstly, the history of the industrial village will be studied in the context of the Industrial Revolution in order to understand the specificities of this type of settlement, namely its close links with so-called « paternalistic » management methods. Examining paternalist discourses also sheds light on the foundations and formation of Owen’s thought, as he used New Lanark as a testbed for an experiment in social reform. Secondly, the industrial village will be studied per se in order to confront its internal dynamics with the application of Owen’s policies. Thirdly, we will analyse how New Lanark was received in its day, as Owen launched a campaign for the promotion of his doctrine, which amounted to the birth of the first British socialist movement in the late 1820s. The pioneering status which both New Lanark and Owen have been awarded also need to be analysed in relation to the latter’s labelling as a « utopian socialist ». The making of this tradition can therefore be understood as a series of strategic processes whereby Owen has been integrated into the socialist canon despite his supposed eccentricities and thanks primarily to his enlightened management policies at New Lanark, thus establishing him as the founder of a distinctively British socialism owing nothing to Marxism.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong. / Bibliography: leaves 77-78.