房屋租购：租房与购房的最佳结合？

In recent years, many governments have become interested in leasing programmes. The essence of leasing is to combine the advantages of renting and owning. Instead of tenants ‘losing‘all of their rent to the landlord, part of their monthly payment goes toward the eventual purchase of the house. This arrangement satisfies the need for some families to rent at the beginning of their lives, but who want one day to become homeowners. It is particularly suitable for families with a regular income who lack the savings to put down a deposit on a house.Leasing programmes have been taken up in several Latin American countries, notably in Brazil, Chile and Colombia. The case study looks briefly at all three but concentrates on the most recent initiative, that of Colombia.     

Some Suggestions on the Formation of Guangzhou—Shenzhen—Zhuhai International Metropolitan Group

Since the Central Government approved GuangdongProvince to impIement special economic poIicies in l979, pro-moted by the refOrm and opening to the outside world,Guangzhou as an oPen city and Shenzhen and Zhuhai as spe-ciaI economic zones have undergone great changes and scoredsignificant achievements in their economic development andsocial life, which has attracted world--wide attention.Shenzhen, a fOrmer deserted town in the border and Zhuhai,a fOrmer poor fishing village and Guangzhou whose econo-my was staganating befOre the refOrm and opening up, sawvigorous economic development in the l980s. Now thegrowth rate of industry and of the GNP, and the export vol-ume and economic returns of these three cities have all reac-heh the advanced level of the hig cities in the country, andtheir economic power expanded tremendously. Having play-ed an important role as a" w'indow" both to home andabroad, they have now become lcading industrial bases inSouth China and serve as a bridge and important pivot tolink wi     

Application of artificial intelligence to rock mechanics: An overview

Different artificial intelligence(AI)methods have been applied to various aspects of rock mechanics,but the fact that none of these methods have been used as a standard implies that doubt as to their generality and validity still exists.For this,a literature review of application of AI to the field of rock mechanics is presented.Comprehensive studies of the researches published in the top journals relative to the fields of rock mechanics,computer applications in engineering,and the textbooks were conducted.The performances of the AI methods that have been used in rock mechanics applications were evaluated.The literature review shows that AI methods have successfully been used to solve various problems in the rock mechanics field and they performed better than the traditional empirical,mathematical or statistical methods.However,their practical applicability is still an issue of concern as many of the existing AI models require some level of expertise before they can be used,because they are not in the form of tractable mathematical equations.Thus some advanced AI methods are still yet to be explored.The limited availability of dataset for the AI simulations is also identified as a major problem.The solutions to the identified problems and the possible future research focus were proposed in the study subsequently.     

Sustainability of Touristic Potential of the Old Van City and Castle of Van in Terms of Cultural,Historical and Natural Values

Tourism has become the world＇s fastest growing sector due to acceleration of technology and information flow in the globalized world of today, development of the modem mass transport system and increase in people＇s disposable income. Upon tourism＇s being considered as a serious development strategy in the developments of the countries, all the countries of the world have begun to accelerate their investments in this area through utilizing the natural and cultural assets of their countries （heritage） with a view to provide revenue to their economy as well as creation of jobs. This situation, which has emerged as a result of the globalization of supply and demand in tourism, has created certain problems in terms of environmental balance and the living conditions of local people as a result of poor management of the utilization of natural and cultural resources. The objective of this paper is to examine the concepts and principles germane to sustainable tourism which has significant contribution to the development of the countries, made at the macro level both in the world and in Turkey. The aim of this paper, at the micro level, is to create awareness incident to the tourism resources of the Van Region and the Old Van province and ensure the utilization of these resources through protection thereof. At the end of the study, the importance of the protection of heritage resources as well as fair use thereof in terms of increasing the competitiveness of Turkey on a global scale in tourism is addressed in the light of the overall evaluations.     

Preservation and Regeneration of Beijing's Courtyard Houses Based on Typology Methods

Courtyard house is one of the symbols of Beijing’s traditional culture.However,illegal self-constructions,over population and the phenomenon of multiple families crowding in one courtyard house have seriously damaged the traditional courtyard houses and urban texture of Beijing.This article insists that due attention should be paid to the traditional cultures of the original residents and their actual requirements in the preservation and regeneration of the courtyard houses.It proposes a new prototype of multi-family courtyard house which might be a feasible mode for the preservation and regeneration of Beijing’s traditional courtyard houses.In addition,based on the typology methods,the article analyzes the evolution of multi-family courtyard houses through investigating the layout of courtyards,and brings forward an idea for its preservation and regeneration.Finally,taking some specific areas of Hutongs and courtyard houses as examples,it also presents a simulation model to validate the feasibility of this mode.     

Hong Kong:Creative City Between East and West

Abstract The slogan"One Country,Two Systems"guides the political,economic and cultural development of Hong Kong–one of the world’s most important financial centers.However,the city is more than just a financial center and a tradehub.The city also has a strong civil society,and the members of the civil society have much interest in culture and cultural identity.The city aims to strengthen its position as a prominent center of higher education in Asia.Therefore,cultural facilities,infrastructure,festivals(such as the Hong Kong Film Festival)and culturerelated fairs,as well as cultural and creative industries,are high on the political agenda,dedicated to promoting Hong Kong to be a cultural center in Asia.In recent years,a number of studies have been commissioned to explore the potential of cultural and creative industries under the urban economy.The findings suggest that cultural and creative industries are one of the economic development fields that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(HKSAR)Government should support and promote in the future.A design center and agency,called Cyberport,has been established to create institutions that can support the evolution of cultural and creative industries.In addition,the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regional Government of China decided in 2008 to develop a prime location in the middle of the city into a cultural district.The West Kowloon Cultural District will position the city on the cultural map of Asia.     

风险中的城市

Cities, as the most complex of human creations, are at great risk both from a wide range of hazards and from their own multiple vulnerabilities. With the current form of globalization, cities around the world are moving together into a new and hazardous environment. More cities have now become strategic and independent linchpins in the global economy. Disrupt economic life in any one major city and shock waves circle the earth almost instantly. However, to sustain consumer confidence which underlies the global economy, much information that might generate serious doubt about the world‘s future has not been tabled for general public consideration.While the new hazard of global terrorism forces the reveal of the reality, globalists are facing severe challenges including the psychological impact. The author draws an analogy of the industrialization in 19th century and proposes many of the changes that are needed to reduce the vulnerability of cities.     

Change and Continuity:Chinese Villages in Transition (I)–Longmei Village

This is the first in a series of four articles ethnographically exploring instances of village transformation in peri-urban China.Each article presents an in-depth case study of a single village and its unique combination of change and continuity.Together,these case studies demonstrate the specificity and idiosyncrasy of village transformation and the need for planners to"take actions that suit local conditions"(yindi zhiyi).This first installment investigates Longmei Village in the Panyu District of Guangzhou Municipality.Longmei’s leaders have encouraged economic transformation through industrialization and real estate development while seeking to maintain the village’s socio-spatial continuity.These competing priorities have led to contradictions in Longmei’s development,as integration into economic networks brings new people,goods,and ideas to the village.This tension has intensified as both registered villagers and migrant workers have pursued divergent visions for Longmei’s future transformation.     

Tourism as an Industry in Heritage Site-A Case Study on World Heritage Site of Fujian Tulou

Cultural heritage is seen as a cultural capital. The heritage tourism increases the local employment and income, however, brings some problems at the same time, changing the traditional living way and industrial structure. The sustainability of economic development by tourism is also questioned. Fujian Tulou is a world heritage site in China, inscribed in 2008. The nomination has brought great changes to the sites, especially the flourishing tourism industries by the local communities as well as the tourism companies. The latter also take part in the management of the heritage site and get most of the income. The data in economic areas is analyzed in this study and explains the cultural tourism as a positive drive for the local economy, which contributes little to the life of locals. With the analysis of the changes and benefits from the tourism, we have found that tourism, as a dominant industry, might be a potential negative element for heritage conservation. According to the different situations of sites in Fujian Tulou, a proper planning of management is in need to integrate the tourism, conservation and development.     

Critical Factors in Financing and Management of Light Rail Transit Systems： Delphi Methodology Approach

In recent years, a large number of LRT （light rail transit） networks and tramways have been built in Spain using the tender system. The rhythm of construction has been such that very few analyses have been carried out and those that have were only partially done because the main participants involved had ulterior motives which impeded their having a critical and independent opinion of the projects carried out. Within this framework, the Delphi methodology presents itself as a very useful instrument, as the intrinsic advantages that it has added to the characteristic that the experts who participate in the project can remain anonymous without detracting value from the conclusions obtained as these are grouped together according to their worth.     

Afteruse development of former landfll sites in Hong Kong

Landfll is one of the major methods in disposing of municipal solid waste(MSW) in Hong Kong. There are now 13 closed landfll sites in Hong Kong, and a restoration program has been launched since 1999 to transform the closed landfll sites back into recreational area. The MSW underneath these closed landfll sites will biodegrade slowly and gradually, releasing toxic gases and leachate. As there have only been a few afteruse development ever completed in Hong Kong, this paper describes the consideration in planning and design of two former landfll sites in Hong Kong–Ngau Chi Wan(NCW) and Jordan Valley(JV) landflls, in particular a discussion on the MSW settlement. Various models in predicting the longterm MSW settlement have been available. This paper reviews the applicability of these models to predict MSW settlement. However, as the predicted settlements can be signifcantly in error, they need sitespecifc calibration and validation. This paper therefore presents the settlement monitoring data in these former landfll sites over the last 30 years, and suggests modifying the Bjarngard and Edgers’ method for estimating this long-term settlement as well as the effect of additional surcharge due to afteruse development. Based on the regression of these data, compression indices Cce and C at different stages of the settlement in the modifed method have been calibrated and validated.     

Beijing''''s Old and Dilapidated Housing Renewal(Part Ⅳ)

As this article is the fourth of a series covering nearly a year's research and designwork with housing renewal,it is appropriate here to sum up the main observationsthat have appeared up to this point,and to put them in some perspective.The follow-ing is an outline of the chief goals of Beijing's renewal program,and their related prob-lems as well as merits.     

Planning Strategic Sustainable Development in Malaysia by Incorporating the Concept of Low Carbon Society

Malaysia has undergone rapid urbanization and economic growth for past decades and is expected to continue to have an average economic grow at 5%-6% per annum in the next five years. This phenomenon of growth and pursuit of socio-economic progress has great impact not only on the economy but also on community life style and environment. The concept of sustainable development was adopted by Malaysia government as early as mid 1990s to address some of the emerging environmental issues and more specifically on climate change issues recently. Malaysia government announced a commitment of voluntary 40% reduction in CO2 emission intensity by 2020 during the Conference of Party （COP15） meeting in Copenhagen in 2009. In parallel to this commitment of CO2 emission reduction, the concept of sustainable development in urban planning should incorporate a more comprehensive and quantitative approach in the preparation of development plan as well as in exercising the routine development control practice at the local planning authority. This paper prepares a quantitative scenario study on the establishment of low carbon society in Iskandar Malaysia.     

城市供水与卫生将全球目标转化为地方行动

The cholera outbreak in East Africa and Peru made Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Peru suffer heavily not only from lost lives, but also from lost exports and a drop in tourism. However, lessons from Peru and East Africa and the years of struggle by the United Nations and its partners, have finally stirred the international community to action. Water and sanitation emerged as a key development issue at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa last year. World Habitat Day this year focused on Water and Sanitation for Cities. This could be a defining moment for national planner, policy-makers and city authorities to reflect on the challenge ahead and to dedicate themselves anew to a task that a statement by world leaders in Johannesburg called “humanity‘s best investment to achieve development and sustainability”.     

有利于城市贫民的城市发展和住房战略

The purpose of the present theme paper is to consider how approaches to urban development have evolved over time, and most recently with the advent of the above-mentioned international concern for urban poverty reduction.Specifically, how local actors, including governments at all levels, non-governmental organizations, professionals and people living and working in slums, have attempted to improve cities and urban centres in ways that are favourable to the urban poor. For ease of analysis, the paper considers two elements of urban development-urban management and shelter strategies. Chapter one begins with a review of the evolution of urban planning and management approaches, from master plans to pro-poor urban governance. Chapter two examines the evolution of shelter strategies, from direct government supply to an emphasis on security of tenure for the poor.Some of the key lessons learned from both approaches are summarized in chapter three. Examples of current innovations in approaches to urban poverty reduction are described in chapter four, looking at contributions at the local, national and international levels.     

Utilisation of transparent synthetic soil surrogates in geotechnical physical models: A review

Efforts to obtain non-intrusive measurement of deformations and spatial flow within soil mass prior to the advent of transparent soils have perceptible limitations. The transparent soil is a two-phase medium composed of both the synthetic aggregate and fluid components of identical refractive indices aiming at attaining transparency of the resulting soil. The transparency facilitates real life visualisation of soil continuum in physical models. When applied in conjunction with advanced photogrammetry and image processing techniques, transparent soils enable the quantification of the spatial deformation, displacement and multi-phase flow in physical model tests. Transparent synthetic soils have been successfully employed in geotechnical model tests as soil surrogates based on the testing results of their geotechnical properties which replicate those of natural soils. This paper presents a review on transparent synthetic soils and their numerous applications in geotechnical physical models. The properties of the aggregate materials are outlined and the features of the various transparent clays and sands available in the literature are described. The merits of transparent soil are highlighted and the need to amplify its application in geotechnical physical model researches is emphasised. This paper will serve as a concise compendium on the subject of transparent soils for future researchers in this field.     

Historicity： Preservation or Revitalization Planning Tools？

The historic centres revitalization addresses the challenges related to the preservation of fundamental heritage values. At a time, when everyone looks with concern to our cities＇ future, it is important to reflect on the received heritage, seeking the most appropriate answers to the planning of the historic centres. These fabrics are reference places in the urban space, due to their role of memorial testimony and of generators of cultural and economic dynamics. However, often times, inherited urban fabrics are affected by the limitations of the heritage policies which, for being too general and based on theoretical and abstract frameworks, have difficulty incorporating the characteristics of each area and neglect the formulation of specific criteria and intervention methods. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative reading of the levels of urban renewal allowed by the planning tools. This study chooses two historic centers in Portugal： Oporto and Guimarfies historic centres （World Heritage Sites since 1996 and 2001, respectively, and were the last to get this classification in Portugal）. This reflection is a contribution to peer trends and raise the discussion on the role that the different heritage policies have to the revitalization of the historic centres.     

Planning and Construction of Low Carbon Cities:The Relevance of Cost-Benefit Analysis

Cities are the major source of carbon dioxide emissions in China,and are the critical locations where emissions should be effectively managed.Adopting a low carbon urban development model is the pathway towards reducing the emissions.A low carbon city development model means achieving efficient and effective urban growth through low energy consumption and low emissions.While many local authorities in China have started to express the intention to construct low carbon cities,it is important to emphasize the need to apply a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to low carbon urban policies and development projects.Since all policies and projects will have their costs and benefits to the society,the effects of the policies and projects on reducing emissions should be measured and assessed objectively.Through the setting up of an analysis framework to assess the costs and benefits,one can provide a scientific basis for decision making,and enhance the overall efficiency in the use of resources for the society as a whole.     

土耳其的合作住房业

The housing cooperatives as non-profit home builders are NGOs providing freehold housing for their members.There are now about 40,000 housing cooperatives in Turkey with some 1.8 million members, which contribute to a big part of the total housing construction in Turkey. The author demonstrates the current situation and significance of cooperatives in providing affordable housing for moderate and lower income families and the financial support they‘ve acquired from public funds, especially Housing Development Fund, and analyses the difficulties Turkey is facing in developing a sustainable housing finance system within the financial market.