In-migration and economic activity in rural areas of Wales

Rural areas are changing – a population turnaround was first identified in the 1970’s (Beale 1975). Since that time more and more research has uncovered the numbers and types of people moving into rural areas (Boyle 1995, Boyle and Halfacree 1998, Bolton and Chalkley 1998) and the impact of this migration (Bell 1994 Cloke and Goodwin 1992). Keeble and Tyler (1995) began to address the economic capacity of in-migrants highlighting that many rural businesses are owned by in-migrants. Stockdale, Short and Findlay (1999) identified that on average for each self-employed in-migrant 2.4 jobs are created. In recent years the policy focus on rural areas has centred on endogenous development, Stockdale (2006) argues in-migrants are essential for this approach to be successful.This research has combined literature from migration studies, with entrepreneurship literature, to examine the economic activity choices of in-migrants; with a particular focus on self-employment. Migration studies focus on where people choose to migrate to and the impact they then have on the area. Entrepreneurship literature focuses on the types of people who chose to become self-employed and the impact of various factors on their decision making. This research has utilised concepts from both literature sources to examine lifetime migrant’s economic activity in rural areas (defined under the ONS rural – urban classification).Powys and Gwynedd are two local authority areas in rural Wales that have interesting economic and migration patterns. They were selected as study areas as they represent areas of varying degrees of inward migration, self-employment, accessibility to major transport networks and levels of Welsh speaking. This research charts the economic activity of households across these local authorities in order to understand what impact individual, household and area level influences have on in-migrants economic activity. A postal survey of 597 households in the case study areas was used to explore the research questions; ‘what are the differences in the current economic activity of migrants and non-migrants in rural labour markets in Wales; and why do these differences exist?’The conclusions of this research make three key contributions to knowledge: 1.In-migrants and non-migrants in the case study areas selected have broadly similar levels of economic activity rates. There are no statistically significant differences in economic activity choices between the two groups.2.Some in-migrants (at similar levels to non-migrants) become self-employed and start a business. These businesses are often different to that of non-migrants, they tend to be largely based from home and prefer to employ family members. 3.Many in-migrants do not move into rural areas with the intention of becoming self-employed this is mobilised often up to a decade after the move.The findings of this research play a key role in understanding why in-migrants make the economic activity choices they do in rural areas. – Through a combination of push and pull factors that centre on the individual (age, nationality, employment history), the household (household structure, tenure) and the area (labour market, levels of Welsh speaking) in-migrants make economic activity choices that for some, result in self-employment. The businesses created by in-migrants differ slightly from that of non-migrant owned businesses. In-migrant owned businesses are most likely to be based from or closer to home than non-migrants. They often employ family member and tend to be younger than non-migrant owned businesses. They do not appear more likely to create jobs than non-migrant owned businesses. This is an important finding given the importance of in-migrant owned rural businesses in much recent rural debate (Bosworth 2008, Bosworth 2010, Stockdale 2006)

Rethinking Sustainable Mobility: Understanding the use of boda-boda motorcycle taxis in Kampala, Uganda

Cities in Sub-Saharan Africa are characterised by informal transportation services compensating for the lack of institutionalised transportation system. In Kampala, Uganda, the vast army of boda-boda (boda) motorcycle taxis have proliferated through the city, with passengers and/or cargo goods straddled behind the boda drivers as they navigate through the city’s congested and dilapidated roads. Despite the strong presence of informal transport in developing cities, local governments often regulate against them as they do not fit the desired modern image. Against this backdrop, the dynamics of the system, perception and needs of the users themselves are neglected and unknown. Therefore, this study aims to identify the role of informal mobility in the sustainable urban landscape by investigating the boda sector in Kampala from the users’ (i.e. passengers and cargo) lens. Qualitative Geographical Information System (GIS) as a mixed-methods approach was adopted for the research, explicitly: GIS analysis, questionnaire surveys, interviews, and unstructured observations. The study develops understanding of the boda demand – travel patterns, trip purposes, profiles, perceptions, and aspirations of the boda users. Visual representations and findings are discussed vis-à-vis the sustainable mobility dimensions. The study finds that the boda physical attributes influence the types of market served including service areas and users. More importantly, the boda market morphs according to the city’s prevailing activities throughout the day, signifying how bodas are woven into the urbanites’ life and the city itself. This is more distinctive for lower income groups, working population, and areas with high formal and informal economic activities. Nonetheless, the high social costs resulting from unprofessional driving and high accident rates should justify intervention by formal and informal institutions. Overall, this study identifies the complementary role of the boda system and advocate for its integration into the public transport system through three transition pathways, namely improvement, complementary planning, and institutional reform. This analysis suggests that the informal mobility system and users should be engaged in changing the negative narratives of the sector and working towards sustainable urban mobility and development

The influence of city centre environments on the affective walking experience

The current PhD thesis explores the influence of the built environment on the affective walking experience. In fact, while urbanisation trends are increasing, levels of walking in urban settings are decreasing, despite to the important health, social, and environmental benefits of walking. However, while there is a rich body of research indicating that walking in natural spaces supports psychological wellbeing, there is a general lack of literature on the potential benefits of walking in urban settings specifically. A novel theoretical framework is applied, combining two main disciplines: environmental psychology literature on environmental affect and restoration, and geographical literature on walking and mobilities. The following questions are addressed:-In what ways can walking in urban environments support affect? What is the role of motor traffic and architectural styles on the affective walking experience?-What are enablers and barriers to a positive affective walking experience in urban contexts other than presence of natural elements?-To what extent does the affective walking experience influence walking intentions?A mixed-methods strategy was adopted. First, an online experiment with residents of Bristol (UK) (n=385) compared affective outcomes of walking in five settings in Bristol city centre following a video-simulated walk. Second, a sub-sample of 14 participants was involved in photo and video-elicited interviews based on a real walk.Quantitative results showed that simulated walks in pedestrianised areas without green elements were associated with affective benefits, as opposed to a commercial area with traffic. Building on these findings, the qualitative phase showed that motor traffic, poor aesthetics, and city busyness have a negative impact on affect. On the other hand, presence of nature and a connection with place supported affect. Specifically, it emerged that such connection is enabled by personal associations, historic elements, and sense of community.This thesis offers the following main contributions. First, it offers a novel empirical assessment of the affective outcomes of walking in different urban settings and reveals that some urban walking settings support psychological wellbeing. Second, it offers a systematic, empirically-based characterisation of barriers and enablers of a positive affective walking experience in built settings. Finally, it shows how theories of environmental affect can inform active travel policies by revealing that a positive affective and restorative walking experience can encourage walking

Effects of Electronic Media Messages on the Perceived Self-Efficacy of Pedestrian Commuters Living in the Unincorporated Central Florida Community of Conway

Urban pedestrianism is increasingly perceived as a dangerous form of travel. While roadway design has been historically scaled to cars instead of people, planning professionals are now re-thinking their approach to make roads more inclusive for all travelers. Scholars, however, have learned harbored fear can trump behavior even under ideal travel conditions. Such fear can adversely impact perceived pedestrian self-efficacy, which is the self-generated internal assessment or belief in a traveler\u27s agentive abilities to navigate the travel environment. The challenge thus becomes twofold: improve the built environment while bolstering traveler confidence. The following study, therefore, employed a qualitative phenomenological research design to ascertain the concerns and perceptions of vulnerable travelers as it pertained to and was affected by travel-specific media. The study employed denizens selected from the Central Florida community of Conway, who were interviewed using a multi-method approach employing a semi-structured interview technique utilizing individual interviews and small focus group sessions. Using Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) as the theoretical framework, the researcher studied and documented the elements contributing to the perceptions of pedestrian travelers. The rationale for this approach is found in the dynamic relationships that exist between the objective travel environment, the perceived travel environment, and travel behavior - all representing the triad of cognition, the external environment, and social stimuli, which encompass Bandura\u27s Triadic Reciprocal Determinism (TRD). The four themes that emerged from the data analysis - communication, safety, cost, and happiness - characterize the experiences of the participants as they watched positively-themed media images modeling civil travel behavior. This research adds to existing literature on the magnitude such themes have on perception, to include latent perceptions harbored by pedestrian commuters concerning dangers - real or imagined - of traveling on local roadways

Hamilton East: Interpretation of house styles and infilling the one acre sections

This thesis elucidates and interprets the social construction of an inner city suburb of Hamilton. Hamilton East was originally surveyed as a military settlement in 1864. The provenance of house styles is examined in the context of particular periods of time, and six commonly constructed period-styles are identified. These are nineteenth century houses, villas, bungalows, standard New Zealand houses, flats, and variations on old themes. In the context of changes in subdivision design since the original survey, three questions related to the location of these houses are addressed. These are: why, where and how was a tiny township infilled with houses to the density of the present suburb? This thesis focuses on the identification and interpretation of meanings implied in house styles and infilling processes. The conditions which determined and contributed to the period-styles in popular housing are explored in detail. The significance of meaning in the built environment is a vital and recurring theme. Housing acts as a form of non-verbal communication. Each period-style functions as a set of symbols. The sign value of a house style is its meaning as a symbol of something else. The meaning functions like a code, shared by the people of the community, and changes over time. Socio-cultural influences include practical and economic considerations. Fashion, demands for decorated or non-decorated architecture, trends in high style architecture, changing lifestyles, changing attitudes to families, and households are identified as determinants of style. The importance of cultural diffusion from the Old and the New Worlds, and increasing and accelerating internationalism are clearly evident in the human landscape. Local and national State intervention in the provision of housing contributed significantly to specific period-styles. Technical innovations have not determined, but have influenced housing styles. They include the available construction materials, and developments associated with the 'machine age' and the production of new materials. The infilling of the original one acre rectangular allotments, with new housing between the settler cottages is explored under five period headings. These are the nineteenth century, the villa period, the bungalow period, the standard New Zealand house period, and the last two decades. Infilling brought a gradual intensification of housing with time and an interesting pastiche of juxtaposed houses. The evolution of the pattern of survey and subdivision is traced from the 1864 surveyed design to the present day pattern. Based on tradition and statute, concerted division created smaller and smaller rectangular sections. The research has drawn upon four forms of data: literature, field data, maps photographs and files, and informal contact with members of the local community. Every one of the more than 2000 houses and flats in the suburb was surveyed for age, style, and other characteristics. Valuation New Zealand files, survey plans, many other historical and contemporary maps, aerial photographs, old photographs, statutes and trade directories were used to compile a detailed record about each of the more than 50 residential blocks, comprising nearly 400 acres (162 hectares) of land. Hamilton East may be seen as a microcosm of New Zealand experience in its subdivision design, road patterns, the processes of infilling and house styles. The provenance of the stylistic and spatial characteristics of housing and sections is articulated as human constructions, determined not by physical circumstances but by people

Tailored interventions in a major life decision: A home relocation discrete choice experiment

Major life decisions such as the choice of housing and its characteristics have significant implications for a household and its energy consumption because they alter structural aspects of energy demand. Energy policy interventions targeting these decisions can therefore have a long-lasting impact. To assess non-monetary policy instruments as incentives for energy-conserving housing choices we implement a discrete choice experiment with a representative sample of Swiss households. The purpose of this paper is the investigation of behavioural differences across households in reaction to social norms and energy-related information. To this end, we distinguish different types of households with a segmentation approach useful for policy makers. Our study provides insights for the question whether the tailoring of non-monetary measures can contribute to a more effective policy design compared to a one-size-fits-all approach. Estimating panel mixed logit models, we find treatment effects to significantly differ across household segments as well as with the baseline energy consumption. The evident treatment heterogeneity suggests a targeted approach for non-monetary interventions

Suomenlinna, enjoy with care: Designing for visitor guidance service with behavioural insights

Suomenlinna has seen a steady rise in visitor numbers and is one of the most popular visitor destinations in Finland. Despite the benefits of increased tourism to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has also brought some additional challenges. Commissioned by the Governing Body of Suomenlinna, this practice-based thesis began with exploring the issue of visitor safety through motivation and signage. Using service design as the main approach and informed by behavioural insights, early exploration into visitor safety concerns revealed that these concerns were part of a wider systemic issue stemming from visitor behaviours. These behaviours, such as walking in areas that are not recommended by the Governing Body, affect not only the visitors’ own safety but also have an effect on the privacy of Suomenlinna residents and conservation efforts. This thesis further identifies that these behaviours result from a combination of the misaligned perceptions visitors have about Suomenlinna and its ineffectual visitor guidance service. In this thesis, the findings and insights from primary research, which consisted of a workshop, field observations, interviews, and shadowing, formed the basis of discovering the underlying issue and reframing the design brief. Theoretical frameworks in the fields of service design, behavioural studies and tourism were researched during the literature review in order to shed light on the possible cause of the underlying issue and strategies to tackle the issue. This thesis suggests that by addressing both the conscious and unconscious sides of visitor behaviours, an effective means of shifting behaviours could be achieved. In order to create practical and implementable solutions, the thesis develops a design proposal consisting of an awareness campaign and on-site interventions. The awareness campaign focuses on addressing the conscious minds of visitors with the aim of re-aligning perceptions to be more in line with the historical value of Suomenlinna. Improvements in the visitor guidance interventions on-site focus on the unconscious minds of visitors to address momentary lapses in areas where impulsive behaviours can overtake the judgement of visitors. The design proposal was prototyped and tested in the field, gathering feedback and results. The thesis concludes with a discussion on future steps for pilot implementation, limitations, and future research to ensure meaningful behavioural changes for Suomenlinna. This thesis demonstrates that service design informed by behavioural insights can be an effective catalyst for guiding the behaviour of visitors to ensure that the integrity of Suomenlinna and its future tourism can coexist.Kim, Jinn

Population growth, jobs growth and commuting flows in Sydney

The Sydney report discusses changes in the geography of population and employment and the impacts on commuting. It also investigates the trends in relation to the relevant strategic planning goals. The analysis focuses on changes between 2001 and 2010 (wherever data is available). It explores changes at a range of geographical scales to convey an understanding of the overarching patterns as well as some of the finer details. Authors: Dr Catharina Williams, Leanne Johnson, Jack McAuley and Anatoli Lightfoot

Symbolism knowledge and city perception in Saudi social life

Architecture is the mirror of people and nations with their own traditions, customs, political and economic systems. It is also an historic document narrating the developments and changes that have occurred in the society. Saudi cities have been affected by a cultural revolution created by tremendous social changes that have taken place during the third decade of the 20th century due to the economic boom triggered by the discovery of oil. These changes have brought about the rejection of the Saudi social, architectural and technical heritage. In addition, the adopted modem architecture fails to respond to the symbolic values of today's Saudi society, which should be vigorously supported by the built environment. This research intends to find out how people respond to these changes. It also aims at demonstrating the role of symbolism and the methods people use in order to express and appreciate the aesthetics of their indigenous environment. By doing this it seeks to develop a needs -centred architectural framework which will be offered to architects, planners and decision makers. In order to achieve these aims, the research undertakes a thorough investigation in theories of cultural symbolism and perception. It has also devised an open -ended questionnaire to understand people's attitudes, memories and behaviours towards the built environment. A number of facts and results relevant to the perception of people are observed, analysed and formulated on the basis of the hypothesis that directs this thesis. This hypothesis is supported by reference to a range of literature and theory relevant to this subject area, mediated through the author's twenty years experience in the field. This personal and professional background enables the author to reinforce the discussions that occur in the course of the research by making use of his own awareness of the past and his detailed observations of social life at the present moment. Focusing on qualitative interpretations provides a route towards appreciating the deep motivations that inspired the responses to the answers. A number of steps were taken to interpret the data collected with the aim of deriving the framework sought and to respond to the aims of the research