Enhancing resilience against floods in the Lower Motowoh community, Limbe, Southwest Cameroon

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaston Buh Wung ◽  
Festus Tongwa Aka
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Action Planning ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Natural Phenomenon ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Reclaimed Land ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Team ◽  
The City

Purpose Floods and landslide threats were addressed under the Frontline process in the city of Limbe, Southwestern Cameroon. The purpose of this paper is to present actions undertaken through building local community resilience to floods which are a major threat in the city, with impacts on the local community ranging from death to complete destruction of services and livelihoods. Design/methodology/approach The actions carried out were informed by the GNDR-supported Frontline survey conducted in 2015 in which the Lower Motowoh community rated floods as an important threat. A series of reflection and learning sessions with the community members was carried out to better understand the problem. Scoping studies on the causes and extent of floods along river Njengele were undertaken by GEADIRR and the community team. Findings The findings of this paper indicated that the main problem resulted from river channel blockage caused by indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the waterway and sediment deposition from upstream. Further reflection and action planning led to preparatory meetings between GEADIRR and ten community leaders. The unanimous action adopted was to dredge the river. Dredging was carried out in late April and early May of 2016 using a hired bulldozer. Social implications Follow-up shows that after many years of misery from floods, often associated with the loss of loved ones and property, about 500 community residents who benefited from the action did not go through this dreadful ordeal again during the rains of 2016 and 2017. People are currently rebuilding on the reclaimed land which was previously abandoned due to flooding. Originality/value Current challenges include changing the mindset of community members about the adverse effects of indiscriminate dumping of household waste into the waterway. It was also a big challenge convincing some members of the community who felt that floods are a natural phenomenon unstoppable by man.

The 2015 Cricket World Cup in Christchurch

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-17
Author(s):  
C. Michael Hall ◽  
Alberto Amore
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Sporting Events ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
World Cup ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
Disaster Capitalism ◽  
The City

Purpose This study aims to focus on the development and upgrading of the Hagley Park cricket oval in Christchurch for the 2015 Cricket World Cup and how this hallmark event was used a catalyst to rebrand the city following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the findings from research conducted between 2012 and 2016. Data for the analysis were collected from mainstream media, sport organisations websites and government archives. In addition, a two-round series of semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders was undertaken in the aftermath of the Cricket World Cup. Findings In the case of Christchurch, the earthquakes and the destruction of much of the downtown provided a recovery opportunity, with the 2015 Cricket World Cup used to expedite the development of a new sporting venue in the city centre and rebrand the city to international tourists and sport enthusiasts. Research limitations/implications The Hagley Park cricket oval case study provides evidence on the rhetoric of urban competitiveness and the use of hallmark sporting events to reframe urban development in post-disaster contexts. Originality/value This research provides further evidence on the logics of disaster capitalism and how cities embark on costly redevelopment projects for sports and events whilst overlooking exacerbating vulnerabilities among the local community.

Evaluating the prevalence and nature of blat in post-Soviet societies

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 747-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin C. Williams ◽  
Olga Onoshchenko
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Personal Connections ◽  
Stratified Sample ◽  
Nuanced Understanding ◽  
The City

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which the practice of using personal networks to obtain goods and services or to circumvent formal procedures, known as blat in the Soviet era, persists in post-Soviet societies and whether its character has altered. Design/methodology/approach – To do this, the prevalence and nature of blat in the education sector in the city of Mykolayiv in Ukraine is analysed using 200 face-to-face structured interviews with a spatially stratified sample of Mykolayiv residents and 30 follow-up semi-structured in-depth interviews. Findings – The finding is that blat is widely used to gain places in kindergarten, schools and universities. However, unlike Soviet era blat which took the form of non-monetised friendly help in the market-oriented society of post-Soviet Ukraine, both possessing control over access to assets such as education, as well as possessing personal connections to those with control over access to these assets, is increasingly viewed as a commodity to be bought and sold, and illicit informal monetary payments are now commonplace. The result is that nepotism, cronyism, bribery and corruption hinder meritocratic processes. Research limitations/implications – This paper examines the prevalence and nature of blat in just one sector in one post-Soviet country. An analysis across a wider range of sectors in various post-Soviet societies is now required to develop a more context-bound and nuanced understanding of blat in post-Soviet societies. Originality/value – This is the first in-depth empirical evaluation of the prevalence and nature of blat in contemporary post-Soviet societies.

scholarly journals Experiences and reflections of Somali unaccompanied girls on their first years in Sweden: a follow-up study after two decades

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Bjerneld ◽  
Nima Ismail ◽  
Soorej Jose Puthoopparambil
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Group Homes ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Need Support ◽  
Swedish Society

Purpose Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) from Somalia are one of the largest groups of UASC in Europe and Sweden. The current study is a follow-up of a Swedish study conducted in 1999, where unaccompanied asylum-seeking girls (UASG) from Somalia were interviewed. In 2013, UASG from the 1999 study were interviewed again, as adults who have settled and found a new life in Sweden. The purpose of this paper is to explore how these women experienced their transition into the Swedish society. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was adopted for this descriptive study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings UASG need support from different groups of adults, ranging from the staff at the group homes to community members, including countrymen, to establish a good life in their new country. The UASG need understanding and knowledgeable staff that can support them through the initial period, when they do not have their parents close to them. All actors in the supporter network need more knowledge about the difficulties in war situations. Former UASC can assist newcomers as well as being informants to authorities in a new country. Both parties involved need to be open and willing to learn from each other. Research limitations/implications UASG who consider themselves successful in being integrated into the Swedish society were interviewed and, therefore, the study mainly describes aspects that promote integration. Originality/value There are limited follow-up studies on how UASG have experienced their life after almost two decades in the new country.

The identity change of rural–urban transformational tourism development in Chiang Mai heritage city: local residents’ perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanapa Wanitchakorn ◽  
Kaewta Muangasame
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Identity Change ◽  
Local Identity ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Chiang Mai ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Identity Changes ◽  
The City

Purpose This paper aims to develop an empirical understanding of the local identity changes of Chiang Mai heritage city from residents’ perspectives from when the city was pushed forward to inscription on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites during a period of transformation in tourism development. The indicative themes of identity change are proposed in a conceptualised model of the multiple stages of identity change in transformational tourism development. Design/methodology/approach This study applied the qualitative approach to gain insight on local residents in Chiang Mai. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with local residents who underwent transformational experiences with the city, including life-changing tourism experiences with mixtures of senior citizens who were born in the city, migrants and local experts. Site observations and secondary data supplemented the interviews were used in triangulation with identity changes during the transformational tourism period. Findings This study’s findings revealed identity changes in locals’ way of life regarding tradition and culture and the increased urbanisation. The indicative themes that caused local identity changes included tourism demand, national policy and new critical emerging issues of capitalism and education are underlined. The way of life in local community transition, tradition and culture has been distorted by effective destination marketing, However, the positive perspectives of identity changes were explored in this study. Originality/value This study fills a research gap, given that few scholars (Gu and Ryan, 2007; Lean, 2009; Lemmi et al., 2018; Reisinger, 2015; Robledo and Batle, 2017; Willson et al., 2013; Xue et al., 2017) have conducted in-depth studies on identity change problems that are caused by rural to urban transformational tourism development.

Autonomous evacuation and local community

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryuji Kakimoto ◽  
Fumihiko Yamada
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Disaster Prevention ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evacuation Behavior ◽  
Flood Risk Perception

Purpose The Aso area of Kumamoto Prefecture and the western part of Oita Prefecture in Japan experienced heavy rainfall from midnight until morning on 12 July 2012. Flooding and landslides caused by this torrential rain killed 31 people and injured 11. This paper aims to analyze a time series of flood risk perception and evacuation behavior, and to identify factors that promote effective autonomous evacuation. Design/methodology/approach A time series of flood risk perception and evacuation behavior following the 2012 flood was developed and systematically analyzed. Differences between the data sets (compiled from survey data) for the evacuated group and the non-evacuated group were statistically evaluated. Then, an evacuation behavior model was developed to simulate which households would be likely to evacuate in different scenarios. The relationship between disaster prevention and activities of a local community were also statistically assessed. Findings This study concludes that an assessment of river conditions and evacuation advice from fellow local community members are the factors that most strongly influence and promote autonomous evacuation. This study also revealed that the everyday activities of a local community have the potential to foster effective disaster prevention and emergency responses if they promote the building of relationships between community members. Originality/value The research focused on actual decision-making and autonomous evacuation behavior. Whereas previous studies were limited to the analysis of activities of disaster prevention on a normal day, this study proved that the usual activity level in local community activities and relationships significantly affected evacuation behavior.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Brigade-Style, Multiphasic Cancer Screening in Rural Honduras

2020 ◽  
pp. 453-461
Author(s):  
Kathleen Doyle Lyons ◽  
Linda S. Kennedy ◽  
Ethan P.M. Larochelle ◽  
Gregory J. Tsongalis ◽  
H. Sarahi Reyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Rural Location ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Post Test

PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of brigade-style, multiphasic cancer screening in Honduras, exploring data from 3 screening events that each tested for multiple cancers on single occasions. METHODS This series of 3 studies each used a single-arm, post-test–only design to explore the feasibility of implementing multiphasic, community-based cancer screening at the same rural location in 2013, 2016, and 2017. The 2013 event for women screened for 2 cancers (breast and cervix), and the 2016 event for women screened for 3 cancers (breast, cervix, and thyroid). The 2017 event for men screened for 5 cancers (skin, prostate, colorectal, oropharynx, and testes). RESULTS Totals of 473 and 401 women participated in the 2013 and 2016 events, respectively, and 301 men participated in the 2017 event. Staffing for each event varied from 33 to 44 people and relied primarily on in-country medical students and local community members. High rates (mean, 88%) of compliance with referral for follow-up testing at clinics and primary care facilities were observed after the screening events. CONCLUSION The multiphasic, community-based approach proved feasible for both women and men and resulted in high rates of compliance with follow-up testing. This approach appears highly replicable: it was conducted multiple times across the years with different screening targets, which could be further scaled elsewhere using the same technique.

scholarly journals Towards Intergenerational Equity: Analysis of Youth Engagement Strategies in Climate Action Planning in Mzuzu, Malawi

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-320
Author(s):  
Josephine Marion Zimba ◽  
Brian Simbeye ◽  
Stanley Chilunga Chirwa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Action Planning ◽  
Youth Engagement ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Planning Processes ◽  
The City

Globally, meaningful youth participation in planning processes aimed at dealing with climate change impacts has been advocated for sustainability purposes. Article 6 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change requires parties to ensure there is public participation in addressing climate change, its effects, and the development of responses. In the city of Mzuzu, Malawi, local community members have been involved in planning processes at different planning levels but more intensively at the community level. Despite this approach receiving much attention, minimal consideration has been put on which societal groups are to be engaged directly, with youths being excluded to a large extent, even though about 49% of the population in Malawi is aged between 10 and 34 years. This article, therefore, seeks to foreground how current stakeholder engagement strategies in climate change planning marginalise the youth. To do this, this article critically reviews current stakeholder engagement strategies and assesses the extent to which youth are involved in the planning processes in Mzuzu City. It further assesses the factors affecting youth involvement in the planning process and subsequently recommends how stakeholder engagement strategies can be designed and implemented to ensure effective youth engagement in climate change planning processes in the city.

scholarly journals Opinions of the Public Officials and the Local Community Members Regarding the Administrative Activity. Survey at the Level of the City Hall Institution of Horodnic de Sus Commune, Suceava County, Romania

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-79
Author(s):  
Petronela Scutariu ◽  
Gabriela Viorica Calance
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Civil Servants ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Community Members ◽  
The Public ◽  
City Hall ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Activity Survey ◽  
The City

Society, in general, and every local collectivity, in particular, needs public administrations to carry out administrative activities dedicated to concrete social needs. Starting from this necessity, through its content, this paper aims to analyze the opinions of dignitaries and civil servants, as well as members of the local community regarding the administration activity carried out at the Institution of Horodnic de Sus City Hall in Suceava County. Achieved by ensuring the comparability of the data collected, this micro-research reveals that both those who manage and those who are managed show a favorable attitude in relation to almost all aspects surveyed: the adaptation of administrative activities to the needs of the local community, the promptness and efficiency of the administrative activity in the City Hall Institution, the, the satisfaction regarding the management of both the City Hall Institution and the locality. However, the study highlights the fact that regarding the existence of bureaucracy in the administrative activity and in the relation with the members of the local community, the opinions expressed by the two categories of respondents are different. If in the perception of dignitaries and civil servants alignment of the administrative activity with the development priorities of the locality, the answers are unfavorable to the bureaucratic phenomenon, by contrast, from the opinions expressed by the locals, it results that the City Hall-citizens relation is affected by bureaucracy.

scholarly journals PERAN SERTA MASYARAKAT DALAM PENGELOLAAN RUANG TERBUKA HIJAU (RTH) DI KOTA BANDUNG

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Astriani
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Active Participation ◽  
City Region ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Space Forms ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The City

As a vehicle for social interaction, open spaces are expected to be able to link all of members of society (or the local community) without differentiating between their social, economic and cultural background. Green open space forms part of the urban space available in a region that has been filled with plants in order to bring ecological, social, cultural and aesthetic benefits. From the research conducted previously, it may be gathered that reaching the green open space proportion of 30% in the city region could only have been accomplished by involving many stakesholders, especially the local community members. This phenomenon piqued the interest of the researchers to conduct further research into the active participation of society (local community members) in the management of green open space and into the policies issued by the government to increase this effort. The outcome shows that the active participation of the local community members in the utilization of green open space serves not only to supervise the government policies, but it also plays an important role in managing and maintaining the green open space in their neighborhood. The expansion of the local community’s grasp of the concept being not only the party affected by its impact, but also as the interest and pressure group broadening its active participation by participating in managing the green open space, and even expanding the green open space by making agreements with the government. On the other hand, the government itself has been making various efforts to increase the active participation from society by encouraging the usage of Corporate Social Responsibility to manage the green open space and offer training sessions and courses to the local community involved.

The new face of corporate patriotism: does being “local” matter to stakeholders?

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 3-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petya Puncheva-Michelotti ◽  
Marco Michelotti
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Foreign Firms ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Marketing Communication ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Groups

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss how foreign firms can successfully use an innovative marketing communication strategy based on the notion of corporate patriotic appeal to better promote their activities within the countries they operate. Design/methodology/approach – This article uses case study analysis and focus group discussions to link current business practices with stakeholder perceptions of corporate patriotism. Findings – There is an emerging trend in corporate communication strategies where corporate patriotism is increasingly used as an effective marketing strategy by both domestic and foreign firms. It was also found that corporate patriotism is an important value across four stakeholder groups which include consumers, investors, employees and community members. Originality/value – This article identifies a new marketing communication strategy that can be used by multinational enterprises to better promote their activities in the local community within which they operate and among key stakeholder groups. This is particularly important at a time when many multinational enterprises run different operations in multiple countries and, as a result, are often exposed to extensive negative publicity.

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