Communal Enterprises Research Articles

Rehousing and Refinancing Russia: Creating Access to Affordable Mortgaging

THE HOUSING SECTOR PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE in every country's economy, acting as a potential tool for sustaining and promoting overall welfare and development. In Russia, however, housing investment constitutes only 3-4% of GDP. As a result the housing sector, and its financing, require urgent restructuring in order to cope with the depreciation of stock and infrastructure networks that has resulted from a dependence on public subsidisation. Indeed, the large-scale and pervasive under-pricing of inputs in what is collectively referred to as the 'housing and communal sector' generates problems with maintaining financial viability in both the provision of housing and utility services, further encouraging flows of subsidy transfers.1 The impact of high subsidies is reflected in the fact that Russian households on average spend only about 6% of their income on housing and utility services, a figure much lower than in the transition countries of Eastern Europe.2 Local governments continue to assume prime responsibility for the housing and communal sector, managing and maintaining virtually all of the housing stock.3 Numerous housing reform initiatives have been introduced during the past decade, all with the intention of moving this sector to a more market-oriented system. All households located in state and municipally owned multi-apartment blocks became the subjects of this reform, as residents were granted the right to privatise free of charge the flat they were occupying.4 Most crucially, it was assumed that together with this transfer of ownership title the new owners would take over the management and maintenance of the housing stock." However, no real incentives have existed for households to privatise, as rents and utilities are highly subsidised, and housing management and maintenance are still provided by municipal enterprises.6 When considering how to construct mechanisms for the resolution of this problem the development of a system of mortgage financing is integral. It embodies the utilisation of property rights by owners to reorganise their property and to exercise this right to benefit from any appreciation in the value of the property whilst taking on responsibility for the property itself. In the present housing structure the majority of the new middle class still live in mixed-tenure housing. If they privatise their flats they enjoy capital appreciation, while public finance takes responsibility for the fabric of the building. The provision of appropriate incentives, such as subsidised and accessible

Challenges and threats to communal coping strategies: The case of ‘the poor’ and sustainable development in Ghana

This paper reveals the extent to which the community, as an entity, has served as a form of social and economic security for its members. In the use of natural resources, the community has consciously maintained and guarded certain natural resources, which have served as a refuge for community members in times of hardship. Paradoxically, this rich social edifice which has provided a livelihood for the poor, created coping opportunities and protected the environment is under serious threat. The paper concludes with a definite hope of progress on the note that the already existing strong communal bonds and relationships could be explored as a basis for communal enterprises to reduce poverty, protect the environment and create viable livelihood opportunities.

Camas (Camassiaspp.) and riceroot (Fritillariaspp.): Two liliaceous “root” foods of the Northwest Coast Indians

Two species of camas (Camassia quamash [Pursh] Greene and C. leichtlinii: [Baker] S. Wats) and two species of riceroot (Fritillaria camschatcensis [L.] Ker‐Gawl. and F. lanceloata Pursh) were important root foods for the Indians of the Northwest Coast of North America. Camas and the latter species of riceroot were used predominantly in the southern part of the region, whereas F. camaschatcensis was used as far north as Alaska, as well as on the Aleutian Islands and the Kamchatka Peninsula. The bulbs of camas were an article of trade, and their harvesting and cooking were often large‐scale communal enterprises. Nutritional analyses show that these species would have provided meaningful quantities of fiber, nitrogen, trace elements and energy, if thoroughly cooked.

Science and Religion: An Interpretation of Two Communities

I Problem and Thesis. II What Science and Religion Are. III What Science and Religion Are Not. IV Science and Religion as Social and Communal Enterprises. V The Threefold and Circular Nature of Science and Religion. VI The Permanent and Transient in Science and Religion. VII Digression on Creeds. VIII The Meanings of Concepts in Science. IX The Meanings of Concepts in Religion. X Interrelations and Interactions among Concepts. XI Interactions of Faiths and Myths. XII Pluralism and Relativism. Bibliographic. References. Index