2. Academic Wits University Research Outputs (All submissions)
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Browsing 2. Academic Wits University Research Outputs (All submissions) by Type "Presentation"
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Item Contributions of Accessibility and Visibility Characteristics to Neighborhood Typologies and their Predictions of Physical Activity and Health(7th International Space Syntax Symposium, 2009) van der Westhuizen, DiaanIn recent years, numerous studies have examined the effects of the built environment on physical activity and health outcomes. While much of this research has focused on discrete environmental measures, such as housing density, land use, or the presence or absence of sidewalks, recent studies have addressed the combined effects of ‘bundles’ of environmental measures. As part of a program of research aimed at understanding neighborhood effects on the physical activity and health of residents in three Detroit MI (USA) neighborhoods, this paper describes the process of creating micro-neighborhood types and their hypothesized affects on local physical activity and health outcomes. In particular, we consider the additive predictive significance of incorporating into our micro-neighborhood types measures of street network characteristics (connectivity and accessibility) and objective measures that capture aspects of design quality (based on visibility measures) along walking paths. Based on the theoretical significance of sets of variables from previous studies, and an analysis of the environmental characteristics of our study neighborhoods, we propose nine 'bundles' of neighborhood characteristics or micro-neighborhood types to be assessed as potential factorsaffecting our outcome variables of physical activity and health. Our intent was to identify a reasonable number (<10) of neighborhood types that shared readily observable differences that could be easily adopted by planners and designers.Patterns of residential density and land use were examined across all study neighborhoods and used to create our basic set of nine types. For the purposes of our data analysis, we further divide our typologies into sub-categories to examine the impact of different types of land uses and their projected multiplying effects as enhancers or deterrents to destination walking. Using aerial photographs and syntax analysis, we consider measures of street network characteristics (connectivity and accessibility), and the role of objective measures that capture aspects of design quality (based on measures of visibility: visual access, visual control and visual interest) along walking paths. Contributions of this study include the identification of critical 'bundles' of physical environmental characteristics that play a role in the creation of neighborhoods that support physical activity. Our current analyses are quite suggestive in postulating the contribution of syntax measures in capturing aspects of the design quality (path characteristics) and ease of reaching destinations (network characteristics) that shape respondents’ perceptions of their environment and contribute to physical activity outcomes. In future analyses we will examine the role of these characteristics in augmenting the predictive power of our neighborhood typologies.Item Does recent litigation bring us any closer to a right to the city?(University of Johannesburg, Workshop., 2009-10-30) Huchzermeyer, Marie"...the right to the city that our Constitution strives for is one of an equal right to the city. This has important components - Equal right to participate in decision-making - Equal right to access and use the city - Equal right to basic services"Item Gender in Planning and Urban Development(Commonwealth Secretariat, 2009-12) Malaza, Nqobile; Todes, Alison; Williamson, AmandaThere is increasing evidence that women and men experience cities in different ways. Therefore gender-sensitive urban planning is needed. However, like other built environment occupations, the planning profession has traditionally been ‘gender blind’. The Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) has been a strong advocate for ‘reinventing planning’ (Farmer et al. 2006). CAP argues for ‘planning as an inclusive process ... rooted in concerns for equity’ (CAP 2008). Gender equality is one dimension of this kind of inclusive planning. This position, which was endorsed by the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum in 2006, also reflects the Commonwealth’s strong commitment to gender equality. So why does gender matter in urban planning? And, what might ‘gendered planning practice’ hope to achieve?Item Hlophe JP and the current politics of the South African Judiciary(2009-10-05) Klaaren, JonathanThe aims of this paper is to provide an overview of judicial politics and an understanding of these politics.Item Judicious Transparency(2009-10-11) Klaaren, JonathanThis paper reflects on two instances of contested openness occuring in the course of the recent saga involving Hlophe JP and the judges of the Constitutional Court.Item Latter-day South African Spatial Planning And Problem Solving(ISoCaRP Congress, 2003) Boshoff, BrianThe SA space economy and the striving for development has come a long way, but still faces great challenges. One of those challenges is to deal with globalisation -- a highly contested influence that has been shown by many authors to have myriad positive and negative effects and impacts. This paper has shown that globalisation has also influenced SA spatial frameworks and policies, in the context of competing, but related demands, as evidenced in GEAR and the RDP. I argue that there is a great danger of being simplistic and blinded by globalisation as a meta narrative and one should closely examine developmental goals and objectives, especially as they occur in a variety of contexts. For example, “just as Jhb’s citizens and managers must grapple with that city’s complexity, and devise creative ways of thinking about its future, and negotiating present dilemmas, so urban theorists need to move beyond globalisation and developmentalism, and embrace the ordinary, but dynamic complexity of urban life” (Robinson 2003: 278).Item Policy Aspects for Informal Settlements in South Africa(Paper presented at the South African National Housing Summit, Gallagher Estate, 2003-11-19) Huchzermeyer, MarieNo doubt this conference will draw much attention to the important moment we’re approaching in South Africa, of having spent one decade building a new democracy. Indeed, various spheres of government are reviewing their achievements and evaluating the effects of their policies. While honoured on 6 October 2003 with a World Habitat award for its phenomenal housing delivery over this decade, national Department of Housing is also concerned about shortcomings in the delivery, which have come to the fore. The Department speaks of an emphasis on quality, which will mark the second decade of South African democracy, with a shift to a “demand-driven, supply-negotiated” policy (Vawda, 2003). In this paper I ask what this may mean in terms of a policy response to the informal settlement situation.Item Ruling in Abahlali case lays solid foundation to build on(Defend Freedom - Democracy under Attack, Church Land Programme, Pietermaritzburg. 04 November 2009, 2009-11-04) Huchzermeyer, MarieABAHLALI baseMjondolo hit the headlines recently. First, attacks on Durban’s Kennedy Road informal settlement drew a ground swell of newsworthy international condemnation, including a statement from US intellectual Noam Chomsky. A week later, media reported on the outcome of Abahlali’s Constitutional Court appeal on the KwaZuluNatal slums act. What is Abahlali? And was anything really noteworthy about the ruling?