Transnational mining corporations and sustainable resource‐based livelihoods in Sierra Leone

This paper draws from world‐systems and sustainable livelihoods approaches to analyze the connections between multinational exports of rutile (titanium oxide), diminished ecological resources and resource‐based livelihoods, and gendered household dynamics in a peripheralized mining region in Sierra Leone. The discussion focuses on how the extraction of mineral resources instigated by exogenous capital investors forces links to household transformation, particularly the vulnerability context of women. Using archival records and field survey data, the case study of rutile mining in southwestern Sierra Leone connects the low‐waged mining labour of traditional resource‐based subsistence communities and deepening marginalization of and financial pressures on women in mining households to global mineral markets. The study focuses on women's coping mechanisms that are embedded within traditional social networks in relation to an external intervention, a low‐tech mechanical cassava grater, intended to strengthen their livelihoods. It finds that the potential for this transformation is impeded by sociocultural, environmental and financial limitations.     

Modelling landfill location using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA): Case study Bo,Southern Sierra Leone

Among the various approaches devised in managing municipal solid wastes, landfills remain the final destination of waste irrespective of the technology used in treating it. Incorrect siting of landfill sites could lead to environmental, social and economic cost; hence, appropriate techniques are required in the identification of potential landfill sites. In densely populated areas in Sierra Leone, there is often tension over the location of landfill sites, where ‘not in my backyard’ campaigns have sparked riots. This article presents a methodological framework for identifying municipal landfill sites in urban areas in Sierra Leone using Bo in Southern Sierra Leone as a case in point. This framework involves a multi-criteria GIS approach that blends two aggregation techniques: Weighted Linear Combination and Ordered Weighted Averaging. Key results show that 83.3% of the study area is unsuitable for municipal landfill.     

The resilience and sustainability of local wetland management institutions in Illubabor and Western Wellega,Ethiopia

Local community based institutions that coordinate the management of natural resources have been linked to socioecological resilience, adaptation and sustainability within rural livelihood systems throughout the developing world. The resilience and sustainability of related local institutions, however, is influenced by their relationship with external actors and institutions, particularly in facilitating, supporting or hindering local institutional arrangements. From this standpoint, this paper examines the case of local community based institutions involved in wetland management in western Ethiopia. Drawing upon the findings of participatory fieldwork undertaken in eight wetland‐using communities of Illubabor and Western Wellega zones in Oromia Region it is argued that although local institutions do play a key role in coordinating wetland management and sustaining the benefits from wetlands, the sustainability and resilience of the institutions themselves is threatened by a range of factors. Despite their grassroots nature, their effectiveness is influenced by their reliance on local government backstopping that appears to have diminished in recent years, as well as a perceived lack of local government support for collective action over individual rights.     

Wetland sustainability and the evolution of indigenous knowledge in Ethiopia

Much research in recent years has addressed the contribution of indigenous knowledge (IK) to development initiatives in developing countries. An IK system that continuously evolves and adapts in response to environmental and socio-economic change is often considered to be at the core of sustainable natural resource management practices and rural livelihoods. In the context of indigenous wetland management in western Ethiopia, this paper examines the relationship between IK and wetland sustainability, focusing on the mechanisms through which IK evolves and how local adaptive capacity is built up. A series of participatory research activities undertaken in four wetland communities revealed spatial variations in the degree of innovation and communication taking place. The paper argues that these mechanisms are key factors influencing adaptive capacity, suggesting a key link between wetland sustainability and the occurrence of innovation and communication among communities.     

Access to natural resources and conflicts between farmers and agro‐pastoralists in Borkena Wetland,north‐eastern Ethiopia

This case study on the Borkena wetlands in north‐eastern Ethiopia tells, through the voices of the inhabitants, the story of the occupation and management of an area where agro‐pastoralists (Urrane) and farmers have progressively settled. It shows how different policy changes and natural disasters have transformed the type of peoples' livelihoods and land use patterns in the wetland. It tells the history of relationships between smallholder peasants, irrigation farmers, commercial farms, and the Urrane, where conflicts as well as collaboration developed, and it shows how different stakeholders behave and consider their own situation. The study also reveals that development intervention by World Vision Ethiopia (WVE) had mixed impact on peoples' livelihoods in the wetland: sedentary peasants have benefited while the Urrane have been adversely affected. The main issue is the marginalization of pastoralists, with the denial of their traditional land use rights by three successive regimes and administrations. Any solution to the cohabitation of the different groups and livelihoods will have to address the issue of land rights for the pastoralists and promote the fair participation of all stakeholders in the future management of the wetlands. Good governance and the competence of the state actors at local levels are the crucial issues for the realization of the suggested solutions.     

Meeting the urban challenge? Urban agriculture and food security in post-conflict Freetown,Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has recently emerged from a long period of political instability and is ranked among the world's poorest countries. During the decade-long civil war of the 1990s, widespread forced out-migration left much of the countryside abandoned, as rural residents fled to the safety of the capital city, Freetown. Consequently, food production became severely dislocated and, in the post-conflict era, the state of the agricultural sector has become a major concern to governmental and non-governmental development agencies. Focussing on the question of urban food security in Freetown, this paper examines the incidence, dynamics and significance of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) among households, at a crucial point in Sierra Leone's post-conflict reconstruction phase. Drawing on recent field-based data, the paper contributes to the growing debate concerning how urban planning and development might be reconciled with the promotion of an ‘enabling environment’ in which UPA is encouraged and supported. It is argued that in the case of Freetown, a detailed evaluation of UPA is urgently needed to determine how agricultural activities can fit in with urban structure, urban problems and the livelihoods of a wide range of actors in and around the city. The paper concludes that not only is UPA a vital element in ensuring household food security, but it could potentially play a fundamental role in safeguarding the urban food continuum and promoting sustainable urbanization in the post-conflict period and beyond.     

THE CORPORATE INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATE AS AN URBAN SPATIAL INFORMATION NETWORK

During the past decade, governments throughout the developing world have implemented policies promoting political and economic decentralization. To date, the study of decentralization has focused on political issues, while the consequences of these policies for geographical patterns of development have been largely ignored. This paper explores the geographical impacts of political decentralization with a study of changing patterns of real estate development in the metropolitan area of Caracas, Venezuela. In Venezuela, decentralization policies have created incentives for the fragmentation of the metropolitan area into a number of municipal governmental units, each pursuing its own developmental strategy. Resulting changes in the geographical patterns of real estate investment are examined. Particular consideration is given to development of a socially exclusive, multifunctional enclave within the city, that both divides and reorders the spatial structure of Caracas. [Key words: decentralization, municipal governance, real estate markets, Caracas, Venezuela.]     

A micro-level approach to rural development planning: the case of piped water in Sierra Leone

This study addresses the need to incorporate analysis of the target area and the target population at the micro level as part of plan implementation strategies in less developed countries, especially in Africa. Such micro-level studies have several benefits, amongst which are the ease and low costs of data compilation and the potential for local input. To demonstrate these points, the proposed government distribution of water supply facilities in two villages in Sierra Leone, West Africa, is compared with an alternative distribution. While the government strategy attempts to maximize areal coverage, the alternative distribution attempts to minimize walking distance. It is shown that accessibility to the water supply facilities can be improved under the alternative approach.     

Perceptions of Local People on the Use of Nyabarongo River Wetland and Its Conservation in Rwanda

This research presents a case study on perceptions of local people on the use of Nyabrongo river wetland and its conservation in Rwanda. It critically examines the potential implications of a shift in wetland use and management practices for local people and presents empirical data from a household survey, group discussions, and observations from transect walks. Results showed that the change in the use and management regime of Nyabarongo river wetland poses substantial loss for local people in terms of provision of resources, income, and access to the wetland, so that the majority of the participants are not happy with the current use of the wetland. Research concluded that there should be participation of all stakeholders, including local people, during policy development in order to shift from command-and-control toward local stakeholder integration in decision making.     

Spatiotemporal wetland changes and their threats in North Central Ethiopian Highlands

Wetlands are important environmental resources for rural livelihoods in Ethiopia. The study investigated spatiotemporal change of wetlands, drivers and effects in North Central Ethiopian Highlands. Landsat satellite imageries of 1984, 1993, 2000, and 2013 were used to analyse wetland changes over the last three decades. Practical observations, interviews and discussions with local communities and officers were also conducted to address the main objective. Furthermore, secondary data on crop yields were collected to supplement the primary data. The study shows that wetlands have been converted into built‐up areas and farmlands. Wetlands in the study area experienced annual loss across the entire study period. Consequently, the area size of wetlands decreased from 7.4 per cent in 1984 to 2.6 per cent in 2013. About 66 per cent of the total wetlands was lost within 30 years mainly due to farmland encroachment and urban expansions. The highest rate of wetland change was recorded between 2000 and 2013. Such wetland changes increased conflicts among land users. However, the converted wetlands increased short‐term benefits due to wetland recession agriculture. To conclude, wetland resources are under enormous threats, and challenge the sustainability of livelihoods. Thus, integrated and adaptive wetland restoration policies could improve the degraded wetlands.     

若尔盖湿地面临的威胁、保护现状及对策分析

若尔盖湿地是中国残存面积最大的高原泥炭沼泽,具有丰富的生物多样性和生态资源。然而长期以来,这片湿地明显萎缩,生态环境极度脆弱,正面临着空前的生态危机。在分析了若尔盖湿地及其生物多样性面临的主要威胁,包括自然因素和人为因素的基础上,总结了若尔盖湿地保护现状,包括建立保护区、加强宣传、开展科研调查活动、以及各种保护项目和工程,并从国家层次、地方层次和保护区层次上提出了有效缓解若尔盖湿地面临威胁的对策。     

Mining for change? Youth livelihoods and extractive industry investment in Sierra Leone

Over the past two decades, neoliberal reforms, soaring commodity prices and heightened global resource demands have led to significant growth in extractive industry investment across sub-Saharan Africa. A surge of investment has triggered a variety of responses in mineral-rich communities – from outright rejection, to protest over labour conditions, to acceptance in anticipation of gainful employment. Drawing on recent research carried out in Kono District in Sierra Leone, this article critically explores these contrasting responses to mining activities, by focussing on how youth perceive and respond to extractive industry expansion. In doing so, the paper broadens understanding of why youth perceptions of mining investment differ, and illuminates the various factors underlying a diverse range of responses to the expansion of extractive industries. The focus on youth and its heterogeneity as a social category has important policy implications and the paper makes a contribution to understanding the dynamics and diversity of youth livelihood strategies in resource rich developing countries. In making a distinction between autonomous spaces of community-led development 'from below' and corporate controlled spaces of development 'from above', the article reflects on how youth perceptions of extractive industry expansion may also be influencing the ways in which mining companies understand and fashion their business and social responsibility strategies.     

Patterns of mortality in Freetown,Sierra Leone

A demographic and spatial analysis of mortality in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is presented, with emphasis on data for the census years 1963 and 1974. Consideration is first given to the availability of data and their quality. The authors then examine geographic variations in mortality within the city, age- and sex-specific death rates, the major causes of death, and death certification.     

深圳市湿地的保护与修复研究

湿地对维持社会经济的可持续发展起着重要作用.随着深圳经济的快速发展,湿地面积不断减少,功能退化,削弱了湿地的生态效益和社会效益.深圳市湿地类型有3大类(近海及海岸湿地、河流湿地和湖泊湿地)13种类型,占深圳国土总面积的8.12%。深圳湿地目前面临的主要威胁是:滨海滩涂湿地面积不断减小,生境面临退化;红树林和湿地水草的生存受到威胁;河流水质不断恶化,河流底质污染程度持续加剧。针对深圳湿地存在的主要问题,提出了相应的保护与恢复对策:保护好西部滨海滩涂湿地;控制污染,修复河流自然湿地;加强自然保护区的建设和管理;加强湿地公园的建设和管理;加强湿地监测和科学研究,积极开展国际合作与交流。     

Advance in the Research of Wetland Tourism in China

The wetland tourism in China has been one of the most popular tourisms as its fast growth in China in recent years. The significance of the wetland tourism research for the local sustainable development was noticed and have sum-marized this review in 3 aspects: resources, including assessment, resources and products development; planning, in-cluding the orientation of wetland tourism, the landscape planning and application of science and technology; and man-agement, including tourism capacity, environmental evaluation, the ecological compensation and the public participa-tion. The wetland tourism research in China is insufficient in the following fields: the depth of extensive studies, the ap-plication of mathematics, the objective planning and the evaluation of ecological influence. What should be more noticed in the future research is that it is considered as landscape ecology, landscape planning and the relevant wetland-struc-ture controlling, the environment and landscape pattern change caused by tourism, tourism risk evaluation, the econom-ics and sociology research in wetland tourism.     

我国湿地景观研究现状、存在的问题与发展方向

湿地景观研究是近十余年来新兴的热点领域,极大地推进了湿地学科发展.但是,由于湿地景观研究体现的是湿地与景观方法有机结合,其在发展过程中还存在许多问题.本文在对我国湿地景观研究现状系统分析基础上,重点阐明了湿地景观概念、分类、遥感信息提取精度、多源数据可比性、结构与格局研究方法、景观过程与功能研究内容与尺度等制约湿地景观研究的主要问题.并指出了未来发展方向:(1)重视湿地景观分类研究;(2)重视湿地景观破碎化研究;(3)重视发展基于过程和功能的景观格局研究方法;(4)重视多尺度湿地生物多样性研究;(5)重视湿地景观管理研究.     

Decolonization and the Making of Middle Indonesia

Indonesia contains about 200 provincial cities with populations between 50,000 and one million, yet they have attracted far less scholarly attention than the country's few million-plus cities. Recent democratization and decentralization have brought to light patterns of communal and local mobilization in these cities, centered on elections and other political events, that have not been seen in Indonesia since the 1950s and early 1960s. Provincial cities have talked back to the central state in ways that belie their supposed passivity as expressed in the term "urban involution." This study attempts to build a synthetic and historical explanation for those patterns by examining the social embeddedness of the state in the provincial city. Most of Indonesia's towns and cities, particularly beyond Java, became urban only through the formation of the modern colonial state from the mid- to late 19th century onward. After decolonization began in 1945, the expanding but chronically underfunded bureaucracy became an arena for contestation among the emerging middle classes in these urban centers, which lacked manufacturing. The new provincial classes were politically significant because of their numbers and their mobilizing skills rather than their wealth. They successfully seized the state at the local level. The central state, anxious to establish political stability, appeased them with substantial political transfer rents, particularly during the oil boom years of the early to middle New Order.     

Decentralization and the cultural politics of natural resource management in Kerala,India

The state of Kerala in India is known for its active civil society and the massive decentralization campaign launched in 1996. However marginalization of tribal communities hampers the state's decentralized environmental management strategies. The proposed construction of a dam along the Chalakkudy River will displace two colonies of the Kadar tribe in Chalakkudy and Athirapilly towns, destroy habitats of local wildlife and devastate unique riverine vegetation endemic to the region. This brings to light issues of social and environmental justice as well as a wider responsibility to protect and preserve unique flora and fauna. The state's decentralization strategies, as they relate to tribal communities, lack consideration of local power distribution and cultural conditioning. This raises questions about the state's role in social justice as well as biodiversity conservation. In 2010 and 2011, the author's interviews in Chalakkudy and Athirapilly towns reveal that tribal communities perceive that their place in society restricts their contribution regarding natural resource management and use. The paper suggests that unless the culture of planning and decision making in the state are changed, decentralized strategies will be ineffective, resulting in a predominately top‐down approach towards natural resource management, and will negate Kerala's goal of democratic decentralization.     

The Short cut to international development: representing Africa in 'New Britain'

Summary Under New Labour, the British Department for International Development (DFID) promises a radical and alternative new 'development agenda' and, more specifically, an end to 'development handouts'. The short cut to international development envisioned by Secretary of State Clare Short is explored in this paper, as is the 'messy' contextuality of writing about development in 'New Britain'. This paper raises questions about New Labour's discussion of the 'moral authority' for international development in 'post-colonial' Britain, particularly in light of the recent 'arms-to-Africa' affair involving Britain and Sierra Leone. The paper argues that Britannia's neoliberal vision of development is not so 'cool' and that, in ethical terms, the development of foreign policy toward Africa has not been consistent. In conclusion, the paper raises doubts about the likelihood of world poverty being halved by 2015 (as the DFID has confidently predicted).