This study explores the emotional problems affecting refugees in Kakuma refugee camp (northern Kenya). The freelisting technique was used to interview 52 community members and 32…
Abstract
This study explores the emotional problems affecting refugees in Kakuma refugee camp (northern Kenya). The freelisting technique was used to interview 52 community members and 32 ‘key informants’. Freelisting was found to be useful in this setting, and provided information which could assist with advocacy, programme planning and programme evaluation. The emotional problems most frequently identified were hopelessness, fear, sadness, anger/aggression and worry. Both current stressors and previous losses were said to affect emotional well‐being. While psychosocial interventions are important, programmes addressing refugees' practical needs (particularly safety and material needs) will therefore have a positive impact on psychosocial well‐being. These findings also suggest that some anti‐social behaviours which contribute to problems within and between communities in Kakuma are due in part to emotional problems; if so, addressing emotional problems would be a worthwhile use of resources.
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Larry Hardesty and Jamie Hastreiter
More than any other area of academic library collection, periodicals demonstrate the immense gap between the infinite nature of human inquiry and the finite quality of the…
Abstract
More than any other area of academic library collection, periodicals demonstrate the immense gap between the infinite nature of human inquiry and the finite quality of the resources available for the acquisition, organization, and maintenance of this inquiry. The number of periodicals currently available is far beyond the capabilities of most academic libraries to acquire and maintain. For example, Katz and Katz wrote in their introduction to the most recent edition of Magazines for Libraries that they included some 6,500 periodicals from over 65,000 possibilities. Fewer than a half a dozen major research libraries subscribe to 65,000 or more periodicals, and only a similar number of liberal arts college libraries subscribe to even 3,000 titles.
This study examines the relationship between quality and quantity of open space in residential areas and the sense of community of Chinese older adults in Hong Kong.
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the relationship between quality and quantity of open space in residential areas and the sense of community of Chinese older adults in Hong Kong.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted with 257 adults aged 55 and over in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong. The quality of open space was assessed from four dimensions: social and recreational facilities, entrance, location and environment. Geographic information system (GIS) was used to evaluate the quantity of open space in terms of size and amount.
Findings
The result shows that the environment has a strong influence on the sense of community, while the quantity of open space does not. The results provide urban planners with evidence for open space planning in the future. Urban planners should consider building more people-oriented environment; such as green areas instead of merely increasing the size, amount and facilities of open space. The Hong Kong Government also needs to review the current standardised planning guideline in order to maximise the social connection of older adults.
Originality/value
This cross-sectional study tried to understand the relationship between the quality and quantity of open spaces and sense of community in Chinese older adults in Hong Kong. It is one of the few studies to simultaneously examine both the quality and quantity of open spaces when studying its relationship with sense of community.
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Delight, and the possibility that an observer might continually delight in the same thing, is difficult to deal with in a rigorous way. Very little has been written recently about…
Abstract
Purpose
Delight, and the possibility that an observer might continually delight in the same thing, is difficult to deal with in a rigorous way. Very little has been written recently about this subject. The purpose of this paper is to offer insights about this vital subject with reference to design work being undertaken at UCL.
Design/methodology/approach
It is the contention of this paper that arguments taken from constructivism and second, order cybernetics can help in this. The cyberneticians who have most significantly dealt with cybernetics and physical architecture are Pask and Glanville. They offer significantly different and contradictory insights. Techniques for conceptualising an interactive performative architecture are discussed, based on work undertaken with postgraduate students at the Bartlett Interactive Architecture Workshop, UCL.
Findings
Glanville and Pask can be reconciled. When physical architecture can be considered as contributing to physical performance both sets of insights can exist in a common theoretical frame.
Practical implications
Designers should consider creating work that contains rich variety and the cues for observer construction, while also offering the possibility of ambiguity where different distinctions are equally possible. It is possible to utilise the differences that arise from changes in the external environment to manipulate the latter.
Originality/value
The paper suggests ways of creating places that offer continual delight to their observers.