scholarly journals Social constructions of environmental services in a rapidly densifying peri-urban area under dual governance in Durban, South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Sutherland ◽  
Vicky Sim ◽  
Sibongile Buthelezi ◽  
Duduzile Khumalo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Environmental Services ◽  
Traditional Authority ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Allocation Process ◽  
The Impact

Background: Biodiversity plays a critical role in improving the quality of life and resilience of poor urban communities in Durban. Objectives: However, the rapid densification that is taking place in the ‘rural periphery’ of the city is impacting significantly on the integrity of ecosystems, which provide valuable ecosystem services. It is also changing the relations between people and the environment. Mzinyathi and eSkebheni, in the north-west of Durban, are peri-urban areas located on Ingonyama Trust land and hence they are governed by both the traditional authority and the eThekwini Municipality. The settlement pattern is changing rapidly here as middle and upper income residents move into the area, changing the way of life from being rural and ‘traditional’ to urban and ‘modern’. Method: This paper focused on the nexus of rapid urban growth, dual governance systems, biodiversity loss and cultural change in these two areas. It adopted a qualitative methodology and social constructivist approach. Data on the value of environmental services in the area was collected through interviewing the traditional authority, provincial and municipal planners and environmentalists, and household members. Results: The paper revealed that environmental services are constructed in multiple ways within a particular socio-historical and political context, that they have value to peri-urban communities, and that their function and use is changing as a result of the ‘modernisation’ of the area. The impact of the dual governance system and traditional land allocation process on environmental services is significant. This has implications for long term sustainability, for the quality of life of peri-urban residents and for planning and urban governance.

Impact of adenotonsillectomy on the quality of life of patients operated on at the Hospital de Clínicas, Paraguay

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Carlos Mena Canata ◽  
Rebeca Noemí Ruiz Vallejos
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study is to determine the impact of adenotonsillectomy on the quality of life of postoperative patients.The study is observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective. The files of all postoperative adenotonsillectomy patients in Otorhinolaryngology Service, Hospital de Clínicas, San Lorenzo Paraguay. The Obstructive sleep apnea – 18 questionnaire (OSA 18) was applied, asking patients about symptoms before and after surgery. An effective sample of 143 postoperative patients was obtained. The average age was 6.05 ± 2.08 years, 55.10% (81) were male and 44.89% (66) were female, 65.30% (96) were from urban areas and 34.69% (51) from the rural areas. The t test was performed for means of two paired samples, comparing the results of the Obstructive sleep apnea – 18 questionnaire surveys before and after surgery which presented a significant difference (p <0.05) with a tendency to improve the quality of life after surgery. It has been shown that there is a significant difference, a considerable improvement in the quality of life of patients after adenotonsillectomy.

Change and Diversity in American Community Life

1972 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Lamanna
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
New York ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Settlement Patterns ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Front Page ◽  
Community Life ◽  
The Poor

In any Discussion of American community life two beliefs are likely to quickly come to the fore. First, that we have over the last 50 years undergone a revolution in community settlement patterns and today we are an urban nation with more and more of our population crowding into our urban areas. Many now speak with disdain about the runaway urbanization and the emerging “ant-hill society.” A second theme that almost always accompanies the first is that the quality of life in our urban communities is deteriorating rapidly. One can hardly read a daily metropolitan newspaper without spotting a headline which sounds the alarm. Not long ago, for example, the New York Times had a front-page spread with the startling headline, “Eleven Mayors Warn Here of Collapse of U.S. Cities.” Stewart Alsop, in a Newsweek column with the foreboding title “The Cities Are Finished,” managed in the course of one page to inform his readers that the cities may be “finished” because they have become unlivable; that the net population of cities will continue to fall; that the future is statistically predictable—in another 10 years most of our cities will consist mostly of blacks; and that the cities will come to resemble reservations for the poor and the blacks surrounded by heavily guarded middle-class suburbs. More recently, Sol Linowitz, Chairman of the National Urban Coalition, declared, “We have abandoned our cities … [and while they] are not on fire today, most of the conditions that caused the civil disorders in recent years have worsened.”

scholarly journals The Impact of Socioeconomic Determinants on the Quality of Life of Moroccan Breast Cancer Survivors Diagnosed Two Years Earlier at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Rachid Ismaili ◽  
Leila Loukili ◽  
Hind Mimouni ◽  
Imane EL Haouachim ◽  
Abderraouf Hilali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
Professional Status ◽  
Socioeconomic Determinants ◽  
Eortc Qlq ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of socioeconomic determinants on the quality of life of Moroccan women with breast cancer two years after their diagnosis who are followed up at the National Institute of Oncology (INO) in Rabat. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted between May 2019 and September 2020. The sample size was 304 women. Data were collected using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR 23 questionnaires in the Moroccan dialect. Results. The mean age of participants was 53.5 ± 12.4 years, where the majority resided in urban areas and more than half were illiterate. Moreover, three-quarters of the survivors were not working, and almost all have basic medical coverage. Nearly one-third of the respondents had experienced discrimination from those around them, and nearly half attributed the decrease in income to their state of health. In addition, 38.2 percent of participants stated that they had great difficulty living on their monthly income after the illness, whereas more than half of the survivors had a good quality of life in terms of overall health (GHS/QOL). Besides, social function obtained the highest score, while emotional function obtained the lowest score. Furthermore, financial difficulty was the most distressing symptom. Indeed, income adjustment after the disease, discrimination, distance between home and treatment center, professional status, and medical coverage were correlated with GHS/QOL. Regression analysis revealed that income adjustment after illness and discrimination were significant predictors of GHS/QOL. Conclusion. The data suggest establishing a financial support program and the development of education and awareness-raising policies to combat discrimination.

The Impact of the Environment on Quality of Life and Mediating Effects of Sleep and Stress

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Chang ◽  
Frances K. Y. Wong ◽  
K. L. Chan ◽  
Fiona Y. Wong ◽  
H.C. Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Environment is an independent factor affecting quality of life. Studies suggest that health practices consider having an impact on quality of life. The purpose of the present paper was to examine the association between environmental conditions and quality of life, and how individual health practices affected this association. Methods Participants aged 20 or above were recruited from 11 tertiary planning units in the centre of Kowloon. These tertiary planning units were selected as they represent the overall living environment in Hong Kong, with older poorer urban areas alongside relatively affluent districts. A mediation analysis was implemented using multiple linear regressions to examine the effects of environmental conditions on quality of life. The predictor variables included sociodemographic and environmental conditions, health practices and health service utilisation. Results Of the eligible 607 participants, 390 females and 217 males with a mean age of 47.4 were included for analysis. Physical, psychological and environmental factors were conducive and connected to quality of life. After adjusting for fruit and vegetable intake, gender, education level and chronic illness, perceived stress and sleep quality had significant mediating effects. Conclusion Environment is an important factor that affects the overall well-being of individuals. The interaction of environmental quality with individual variables, specifically stress and sleep is extremely important when assessing its impact on the quality of life. The findings of this study support the importance of individual stress and sleep in mediating the relationship between the environment and quality of life.

scholarly journals Mental health and quality of life in pre- and early adolescents: a school-based study in two contrasting urban areas

2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulietta Cucchiaro ◽  
Paulo Dalgalarrondo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Early Adolescents ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Global Quality Of Life ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of mental health problems and to assess the quality of life in pre- and early adolescents living in two contrasting urban areas in Brazil, as well as to identify the impact of demographic factors on mental health, quality of life and school performance. METHOD: Using school samples, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Quality of Life Inventory were administered to 424 (52%) boys and 387 (48%) girls (mean age 12.6 ± 1.3 years) in better-off central and poorer outer-city areas. RESULTS: In the total sample, the prevalence of probable psychiatric cases was 10.1% (n = 77). There were no significant differences in the overall prevalence of behavior problems or global quality of life between central and outer-city areas. However, boys from the outer-city had a higher prevalence of conduct problems (12% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.04), although girls did not differ significantly on any measure. In general, factors associated with poorer mental health were: having no religion, divorced parents, and being male. CONCLUSIONS: Living in the poorer outer-city was not associated with worse mental health or quality of life in this sample. This is in contrast with the findings of some other studies, and possible protective factors such as female gender and religion are discussed.

scholarly journals The Impact of ICTS in the Development of Smart City: Opportunities and Challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1285-1289 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
United States Census ◽  
United States Census Bureau ◽  
The Impact

ICT technology has seen a widespread influence throughout the globe. It has become a crucial element in safety and security. According to the United States census bureau of 2017, it is estimated that, by 2030, the world's population will be around 8.5 billion. It is also estimated to rise up to 9.8 billion and 11.2 billion by 2050 and 2100 respectively. More than half of humanity today live in urban areas. A large number of cities are witnessing a significant growth of rural citizens moving to urban areas in search of better lifestyle and opportunities, education and a quality of life. As a consequence of this, cities’ are expanding beyond their limits in their infrastructural, security and service sectors to adapt to the overwhelming surge of rural migrants. And this comes with a cost, which is the increased complexity of providing an easier way of life. This has led to cities adopting modern tools of ICT to become Smart Cities capable of adapting and allocating the incoming migrators, as well as increase the quality of life. The paper will explain the definition of smart cities, their opportunities and challenges with tools that include: Smart homes, Smart energy grid, Smart retail and Internet of Things. The study defines the essential elements that comprise smart cities. It will, therefore, aid governments in decision-making when it comes to initiating smart city projects.

Aging and Gentrification: The Urban Experience

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Edmonds Crewe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Urban Experience ◽  
The Impact

Background: Gentrification is impacting urban communities across the globe. Some urban communities have undergone major displacement of longtime residents thus placing older persons at particular risk of social isolation and the loss of social networks. Objective: The objective of the article is to bring attention to the impact of gentrification on communities and specifically addresses the impact on older persons, especially as it relates to displacement, social isolation, and social networks. Additionally the article aims to address implications for social work practice. Method: A review of the literature was used to gather information on this important topic. Additionally, newspaper articles were reviewed that discussed gentrification in urban neighborhoods. Content analysis was used to gather themes that would inform practice recommendations. Additionally the author used community mapping through personal observation. Findings: Gentrification is perceived as both positive and negative, depending on the stakeholder. It also has been associated with negative health effects as well as social isolation and the loss of social networks. Older persons of color are particularly at risk of displacement. Emotional and financial hardships. Conclusions: Practice implications include an examination of quality of life factors, introduction of financial counseling and advocacy for policies that respect the quality of life of older persons faced with gentrification.

scholarly journals Penerapan Kebijakan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan di Lingkungan Kampus (Studi Perbandingan Antara Kampus Tembalang Universitas Diponegoro dan Kampus Tertre Universitas Nantes)

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 484
Author(s):  
Safrida Fatmawati ◽  
Joesron Alie Syahbana
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Development Policy ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Campus Policy ◽  
The Impact

City is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of the large population, the intensive usage of infrastructure and a lot of economic activities. In addition, lifestyle and activity of urban communities, which neglect the impact of energy consumption, tend to increase the concentration of greenhouse gas involved in global warming. Improving the environment and the quality of life become the responsibility of all stakeholders, including the higher education institutions. They are the ones who have the contribution to conserve the environment. Sustainable Campus is a concept that began to develop in the world as a response to the environmental degradation which is integrated into the campus policy. This study proposes to compare the sustainable development policy within the Tertre campus, University of Nantes-France and Tembalang campus, Diponegoro University-Semarang, Indonesia. The material of this study was constituted through the interviews with the main stakeholders, as the key personnel in the field of sustainable development. In summary, we can conclude that the best sustainable development policy in the campus must be integrated into the environmental management, the improvement of the quality of life of the university community, and the strengthening of the economy, as well as engage in partnerships with all the stakeholders.

scholarly journals The importance of sustainable urban mobility in shaping the quality of life of the inhabitants of functional urban areas

2020 ◽  
pp. 91-108
Author(s):  
Dorota Perło ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Hidden Variables ◽  
Urban Mobility ◽  
Important Relationship ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Sustainable Urban Mobility ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The aim of this article is to examine the impact of sustainable urban mobility on the quality of life of inhabitants of functional urban areas. A thesis has been posed about the important relationship between them. Research method – The article uses the method of soft modelling, which enables the study of the relationships between the hidden variables. Statistical data used in the empirical study concerns the Bialystok Functional Area. Results – As a result of the conducted research and analyses, key determinants of sustainable urban mobility and quality of life were determined, the most important threats related to environmental degradation were identified as well as innovative solutions for sustainable urban mobility that should be implemented in order to effectively manage resources and protect them for the future generations were found. Originality /value – Key research results can be useful in the process of developing Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.

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