Periodic markets are an important aspect of local economies,providing a platform for farmers(producers),wholesalers,retailers,and consumers to interact face-to-face and exchange goods and services.These markets have b...Periodic markets are an important aspect of local economies,providing a platform for farmers(producers),wholesalers,retailers,and consumers to interact face-to-face and exchange goods and services.These markets have been increasing in urban areas in Africa,Asia,and South America because of urbanization.The increase of periodic urban markets(PUMs)in urban areas is observed as an index of modernization,reflecting a response to transition process.However,there are limited studies on how social interactions in PUMs contribute to sustainable livelihoods.This study investigated the types of social interactions occurring in PUMs in Ghana,the benefits of social interactions for participants of PUMs,and how social interactions contribute to sustainable livelihoods.This research interviewed 162 participants,comprising 27 farmers(farmers were regarded as producers in this study),61 retailers,47 wholesalers from 9 selected PUMs across Ghana,and 27 officers from government institutions and non-governmental market associations to obtain their opinions.We analyzed the interview data using the NVivo software.The results showed that there are seven kinds of social interactions in PUMs,including(i)producer-wholesaler relationship,(ii)producer-consumer relationship,(iii)wholesaler-retailer relationship,(iv)retailer-consumer relationship,(v)trader-driver relationship,(vi)trader-institution relationship,and(vii)trader-international buyer relationship.We found that these social interactions in PUMs enhance sustainable livelihoods by supporting human,social,financial,natural,and physical assets of traders(traders refer to producers,wholesalers,and retailers in this study).Therefore,we concluded that the development of policies to improve PUMs could strengthen social interactions,enabling the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries.展开更多
Urban competitiveness has been the hot topic for researches and studies over years. The aim of this paper is to elaborate urban competitiveness. First, definition of competitiveness is discussed in detail and then the...Urban competitiveness has been the hot topic for researches and studies over years. The aim of this paper is to elaborate urban competitiveness. First, definition of competitiveness is discussed in detail and then the differences of competitiveness of nations and enterprises are presented. In Section 2, urban competitiveness is defined. Since the assessment of urban competitiveness is the focus of many studies, Section 3 elaborates four models or frameworks for assessing urbancompetitiveness. Last, but by no means the least, Chengdu has been discussed as a case on how to improve urban competitiveness. Three suggestions are put forward, which are clustering strategy, more efficient governance and urban marketing campaigns respectively.展开更多
This paper discusses transition of urban housing system andhousing policy issues in China. It focuses on China's urban housing systemand future housing policies Some of the main contexts to be discussed are:(1) th...This paper discusses transition of urban housing system andhousing policy issues in China. It focuses on China's urban housing systemand future housing policies Some of the main contexts to be discussed are:(1) the process and characterstics of housing development in new China, (2)the weaknesses of the old urban housing system; (3) reforms of the urbanhousing system; (4) China's housing markets in transition; (5) Current urbanhousing reform policy dilemmas; (6) experiences from developed countries;(7) main housing policy issues in the western world, and (8) ways to dealwith the dilemmas.展开更多
The analysis of spatial mismatches in access to employment remains a very important area of labour market literature. A particular case is that of the mismatches in urban labor markets, which can result in substantial...The analysis of spatial mismatches in access to employment remains a very important area of labour market literature. A particular case is that of the mismatches in urban labor markets, which can result in substantial differences in the employment opportunities available in city centre and suburbs. This study examines the spatial mismatches present in the labour market of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. To that end, the results of a survey taken in 2003-2004 with a sample of 2000 city residents were reviewed. Results confirm the importance of transport policy for city residents; they suggest that public transport linking the different districts to the city centre should be reviewed.展开更多
Using data at micro and city levels, the present paper explores the policy evolution of the minimum wage system in China, and examines its coverage for migrant workers. The analysis indicates that minimum wage policy ...Using data at micro and city levels, the present paper explores the policy evolution of the minimum wage system in China, and examines its coverage for migrant workers. The analysis indicates that minimum wage policy has been substantially improved in terms of both coverage and the level of the minimum wage standard, but that the current policy tool that relies on the monthly wage rate is not effective. Because migrant workers tend to work more hours, use of an hourly wage rate is more appropriate than a monthly wage rate.展开更多
文摘Periodic markets are an important aspect of local economies,providing a platform for farmers(producers),wholesalers,retailers,and consumers to interact face-to-face and exchange goods and services.These markets have been increasing in urban areas in Africa,Asia,and South America because of urbanization.The increase of periodic urban markets(PUMs)in urban areas is observed as an index of modernization,reflecting a response to transition process.However,there are limited studies on how social interactions in PUMs contribute to sustainable livelihoods.This study investigated the types of social interactions occurring in PUMs in Ghana,the benefits of social interactions for participants of PUMs,and how social interactions contribute to sustainable livelihoods.This research interviewed 162 participants,comprising 27 farmers(farmers were regarded as producers in this study),61 retailers,47 wholesalers from 9 selected PUMs across Ghana,and 27 officers from government institutions and non-governmental market associations to obtain their opinions.We analyzed the interview data using the NVivo software.The results showed that there are seven kinds of social interactions in PUMs,including(i)producer-wholesaler relationship,(ii)producer-consumer relationship,(iii)wholesaler-retailer relationship,(iv)retailer-consumer relationship,(v)trader-driver relationship,(vi)trader-institution relationship,and(vii)trader-international buyer relationship.We found that these social interactions in PUMs enhance sustainable livelihoods by supporting human,social,financial,natural,and physical assets of traders(traders refer to producers,wholesalers,and retailers in this study).Therefore,we concluded that the development of policies to improve PUMs could strengthen social interactions,enabling the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries.
文摘Urban competitiveness has been the hot topic for researches and studies over years. The aim of this paper is to elaborate urban competitiveness. First, definition of competitiveness is discussed in detail and then the differences of competitiveness of nations and enterprises are presented. In Section 2, urban competitiveness is defined. Since the assessment of urban competitiveness is the focus of many studies, Section 3 elaborates four models or frameworks for assessing urbancompetitiveness. Last, but by no means the least, Chengdu has been discussed as a case on how to improve urban competitiveness. Three suggestions are put forward, which are clustering strategy, more efficient governance and urban marketing campaigns respectively.
文摘This paper discusses transition of urban housing system andhousing policy issues in China. It focuses on China's urban housing systemand future housing policies Some of the main contexts to be discussed are:(1) the process and characterstics of housing development in new China, (2)the weaknesses of the old urban housing system; (3) reforms of the urbanhousing system; (4) China's housing markets in transition; (5) Current urbanhousing reform policy dilemmas; (6) experiences from developed countries;(7) main housing policy issues in the western world, and (8) ways to dealwith the dilemmas.
文摘The analysis of spatial mismatches in access to employment remains a very important area of labour market literature. A particular case is that of the mismatches in urban labor markets, which can result in substantial differences in the employment opportunities available in city centre and suburbs. This study examines the spatial mismatches present in the labour market of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. To that end, the results of a survey taken in 2003-2004 with a sample of 2000 city residents were reviewed. Results confirm the importance of transport policy for city residents; they suggest that public transport linking the different districts to the city centre should be reviewed.
文摘Using data at micro and city levels, the present paper explores the policy evolution of the minimum wage system in China, and examines its coverage for migrant workers. The analysis indicates that minimum wage policy has been substantially improved in terms of both coverage and the level of the minimum wage standard, but that the current policy tool that relies on the monthly wage rate is not effective. Because migrant workers tend to work more hours, use of an hourly wage rate is more appropriate than a monthly wage rate.
