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Rapid urbanization and population growth in the cities of Vietnam in recent decades have put tremendous pressure on urban housing development, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Hai Duong City. To meet the basic housing demands of the public, the city authorities have implemented several policies to increase the housing supply. However, it is difficult to meet all the housing needs and to improve housing quality for the urban poor and the lower-income people. As the state's financial sources for upgrading urban housing projects targeted at the low-income communities are very limited, community participation in terms of self-solving housing issues is highly needed. Therefore, this paper aims to study the mechanism of the community participation process to improve urban housing quality for low-income groups. Through two case studies selected from Hanoi and Hai Duong as a large city and medium-size city, respectively, in the same region, the paper explores the characteristics of community participation and the capacity of the community, the mechanism of collaboration among the stakeholders, and the obstacles to overcome in the implementation process. The paper also proposes a number of solutions regarding changes in policies, including mechanisms to support low-income earners in housing improvement and strengthening the role of local authorities and consultant experts in supporting and promoting community participation toward sustainable development. KEYWORDS: community participation; urban low-income; housing improvement; stakeholder collaboration, INTRODUCTION Vietnam has been experiencing large-scale and vigorous urbanization due to the rapid economic development since the adoption of the Doi Moi (Reform) Policy in 1986. According to the 2019 [...]

THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST UNDERWENT rapid economic growth in the late 19th century and cities on both sides of the Canada/US border burgeoned. The building boom was sustained by a large [...]

Objective: This paper is a methodological case study that describes the At Home/Chez Soi (Housing First) Initiative's mixed-methods strategy for implementation evaluation and discusses the value of these methods in evaluating the implementation of such complex population health interventions. Target Population: The Housing First (HF) model is being implemented in five cities: Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Moncton. Intervention: At Home/Chez Soi is an intervention trial that aims to address the issue of homelessness in people with mental health issues. The HF model emphasizes choices, hopefulness and connecting people with resources that make a difference to their quality of life. A component of HF is supported housing, which provides a rent subsidy and rapid access to housing of choice in private apartments; a second component is support. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to evaluate HF implementation. Outcomes: The findings of this case study illustrate how the critical ingredients of complex interventions, such as HF, can be adapted to different contexts while implementation fidelity is maintained at a theoretical level. The findings also illustrate how the project's mixed methods approach helped to facilitate the adaptation process. Another value of this approach is that it identifies systemic and organizational factors (e.g., housing supply, discrimination, housing procurement strategy) that affect implementation of key elements of HF. Conclusion: In general, the approach provides information about both whether and how key aspects of the intervention are implemented effectively across different settings. It thus provides implementation data that are rigorous, contextually relevant and practical. Key words: Homelessness; mental health; complex community interventions Objectif : Ceci est une etude de cas methodologique decrivant la strategie a methodes mixtes qui evalue la mise en oeuvre du modele de priorite au logement de l'initiative Chez Soi/At Home; nous traitons aussi de l'utilite de telles methodes pour evaluer la mise en oeuvre d'interventions complexes en sante des populations. Population cible : Le modele de priorite au logement (PL) est applique dans cinq villes : Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal et Moncton. Intervention : Chez Soi est un essai d'intervention qui s'attaque au probleme de l'itinerance chez les personnes aux prises avec la maladie mentale. Le modele de PL met l'accent sur les choix, l'espoir et la mise en rapport des gens avec des ressources qui comptent pour leur qualite de vie. L'un des elements du modele est le logement subventionne : une partie du loyer est payee par le projet, et les beneficiaires ont un acces rapide a un appartement prive de leur choix; un deuxieme element est le soutien. Des methodes quantitatives et qualitatives ont ete utilisees pour evaluer la mise en oeuvre du modele. Resultats : Selon les constatations de cette etude de cas, les ingredients essentiels d'une intervention complexe, comme le modele de PL, peuvent etre adaptes a differents contextes tout en respectant la mise en oeuvre de l'intervention sur le plan theorique. On a aussi constate que l'emploi de methodes mixtes facilite ce processus d'adaptation. Une autre utilite de cette approche est qu'elle permet de reperer les facteurs generaux et organisationnels (p. ex., l'offre de logements, la discrimination, la strategie d'obtention de logements) qui influent sur la mise en oeuvre des elements cles du modele de PL. Conclusion : Dans l'ensemble, l'approche mixte permet de savoir si les aspects cles de l'intervention sont mis en oeuvre efficacement a differents endroits, et de quelle facon. Elle fournit donc des donnees de mise en oeuvre a la fois rigoureuses, pratiques et adaptees au contexte. Mots cles : itinerance; sante mentale; interventions communautaires complexes, The purpose of this paper is to discuss and illustrate the value of mixed methods in evaluating the implementation of complex population health interventions. In it, we present a methodological [...]

Abstract Between 1996 and 2001, Ontario experienced an increase in its rural and small town population. This paper determines whether growth was a result of metropolitan decentralization or deconcentration. Analysis [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.11.006 Byline: Sarunya Sujaritpong, Vilas Nitivattananon Abstract: As population densities have risen and settlements become increasingly crowded, wastewater effluent volumes have, not unexpectedly, also risen. The adverse impacts of effluent from housing estates (HEs) in suburban areas of Thailand, served by local wastewater management (WWM) systems, are of particular concern. Because of this problem, which reflects the poor performance of WWM systems, it has become increasingly important that the pivotal factors that hinder WWM improvements be identified and effective solutions be proposed and implemented. The goal of the research described in this paper was to determine the critical factors influencing WWM performance at HEs in suburban Bangkok, using multiple regression analysis. Three significant factors encompassing financial, social, institutional and general aspects were identified for each type of WWM system (community centralized and onsite). For the community centralized system, the key factors were house price, type of organization managing the HE, and the attitudes of the organization. For onsite systems, the three factors were total number of house units, direct experience with water pollution and percentage of occupied houses. These findings reflect the importance of having a WWM that employs an integrated approach rather than focusing on specific aspects in isolation from other factors. WWM performance could be improved if significant factors indicating high priority concerns were to be identified and properly applied. Addressing the priority concerns could, consequently, contribute to the development of appropriate environmental management measures, plans, and policies related to HE WWM. Author Affiliation: Urban Environmental Management Field of Study, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand Article History: Received 18 October 2006; Revised 3 November 2007; Accepted 30 November 2007

An urban bias is evident in policies and programs addressing housing and community development issues in the U.S. Analysis of American Housing Survey data comparing non-metropolitan housing conditions to central [...]

This paper focuses on the procedure utilized in the construction of tilt-up irregular concrete panels that are constructed on-site using concrete slabs and wooden formwork. The case study required high-quality concrete finishing. The erection and installation procedure called for a maximum panel-to-panel joint tolerance of 1.27 cm (0.5 in.), often 90[degrees] joints between panels. To meet precision requirements, the casting slabs were leveled and flattened with laser screed technology and smoothed with chemical solutions. To ensure that the final result met expectations, a mock-up model was built using different types of materials and to simulate site constraints. The architectural design is a composition of precast concrete panels like 'Lego' pieces assembled similarly to a jigsaw puzzle. The unique construction process required a state-of-the-art analysis to produce the set quality. Quality conditions as set by the owner included creating a smooth concrete surface on all panels while avoiding damages and reducing equipment and material costs. The proposed methodology is described through its implementation on the case study, which is also described in this paper. DOI: 10.1061(ASCE)0733-9364(2007)133:3(208) CE Database subject headings: Concrete slabs; Panels; Bonding strength; Concrete, reinforced; Buildings, residential; Connections.

Rapid growth of residential construction in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada has led to an increased demand for lot grading (LG) inspectors. The traditional inspection process has contributed to inspection delays, backlog, and decreased customer satisfaction. The aim of the research presented in this paper is to study, evaluate, and optimize the existing LG approval process. Data from past years were collected and analyzed to establish a baseline performance level. Flowcharts were developed to visualize the process and a survey was conducted to determine potential areas of improvement from the perspectives of different shareholders. Lean thinking principles were applied to identify and reduce the nonvalue added activities and improve performance. The final phase of the research involved the simulation of the process to evaluate the impact of the implementation of various recommendations. Based on the simulation results, final recommendations were made and later implemented with the help from the city's Information technology department. These modifications to the existing process produced significant gains in quality and productivity, as predicted by the simulation model. CE Database subject headings: Buildings, residential; Computer aided simulation; Automation; Canada; Case reports.

This study is an analysis of the impact of the opening or closure of a new urban casino on crime and disorder, and house sales and prices in its neighbourhood. The two sets of time-series data were the calls to the police about three types of offences and the house sales through the Multiple Listing Service in two neighbourhoods near the casinos in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Temporally, the weekly numbers of offences and the mean monthly house prices were oscillating almost randomly around their respective declining or stationary long-term averages with no impulse from when a casino either opened or closed. Geographically, only two types of offences increased in number nearer to a casino site, but their respective distance decays neither moderated nor steepened after a casino had closed or opened. Even so, the conclusion is premature that the open or closed casinos have had benign effects on offences and house sales in the neighbourhoods. La presente etude analyse l'impact de l'ouverture et de la fermeture d'un nouveau casino urbain sur le crime, le desordre public, et la vente et les prix des maisons dans son voisinage. Nous avons analyse deux series chronologiques de donnees, a savoir: le nombre d'appels d la police concernant trois types d'infractions, et les ventes de maisons au moyen du Multiple Listing Service, dans deux quartiers proches des casinos a Windsor (Ontario), Canada. Mesures dans le temps, les chiffres hebdomadaires des infractions et les moyennes mensuelles du prix des maisons ont oscille presque au hasard tout en restant proches de leurs moyennes, stables ou baissantes, sans que l'ouverture ou la fermeture d'un nouveau casino les influence. Mesures dans l'espace, deux types d'infractions seulement ont augmente pres d'un casino, mais l'ouverture ou la fermeture de celui-ci n'a ni modere ni accuse leur gradient incidence-distance. Il est pourtant premature de conclure que les casinos, ouverts ou fermes, n'ont aucun effet sur le nombre d'infractions et le prix des maisons., Introduction A new urban casino's external effects on its neighbourhood are modelled from two theories about people's activities and their effects on the locations and timings of either crime and [...]

This paper argues that the unsustainability of today's housing practices is rooted from different perceptions about sustainable housing by the 'actors'involved--the designers, producers, and users. This is demonstrated in the [...]

This paper examines the wind-up of the British new towns programme in Scotland, and the way in which housing tenure became a critical issue. The origins and development of the new towns are outlined, and the parts played by the main actors in the wind-up are considered. The paper is based on primary and secondary sources, and on interviews. The outcome - the transfer of a large proportion of the rented housing to local authorities - was not government policy, and this is explained by reference to models of policy termination and succession, and to developments in the creation of 'quasi-markets', which created expectations of consumer choice., Introduction The British new towns represent a policy which was always intended to terminate. The deliberate and rapid development of a network of new towns to provide a better residential [...]

The US state of Maryland has adopted a strategy to support so-called smart growth development. Cliff Hague sees what can be learned from the practice. The plane dipped out of [...]

The conversion and alteration of a former London Underground substation in Essex to form 22 dwellings has been rejected on the grounds that it would lead to an unacceptable loss [...]