Community Infrastructure Research Articles

Who Gets to Breastfeed? A Narrative Ecological Analysis of Women's Infant Feeding Experiences in the UK.

The early post-natal period is a critical period in women's infant feeding journeys, often marked by high levels of unintended breastfeeding cessation. Previous research has argued that infant feeding should be perceived within a complex system whereby factors operating at different ecological levels (i.e., individual, social/community networks, cultural/institutional) interact to affect individual behaviors. However, currently, more work needs to be done to implement an ecological approach in breastfeeding programs. We adopted a complex-systems lens approach to explore how multi-level factors—individual, mother-infant dyad, health service, family and social networks, and wider community infrastructure—interacted with women's motivations and experiences of breastfeeding. We undertook a secondary analysis of 24 women's interviews; all the women had a strong antenatal intention to breastfeed and were expecting their first baby. The interviews were collected during the UK-based Assets-based feeding help Before and After birth (ABA) feasibility trial when their infant was aged between 4 and 21 weeks. Categorical content analysis was used to explore the interrelationships between key factors and to identify different infant feeding typologies. Two different typologies emerged: “disappointed” (n = 7) and “by hook or by crook” (n = 17). “Disappointed” women had stopped breastfeeding early; women classified as “by hook or by crook” continued breastfeeding despite facing challenges. Sociodemographic, social, and service level differences between the typologies were noted. “Disappointed” women were more likely to be younger, White-British, to have considered mixed-feeding antenatally and experienced negative breastfeeding support from healthcare professionals and personal networks. Infants of “disappointed” women were more likely to have received unexpected “top-ups” and to be perceived as having infant feeding difficulties. Women classified as “by hook or by crook” were just as likely as “disappointed” women to experience birth-related complications, but demonstrated more proactive help-seeking behaviors, had positive experiences of personal/professional support and accessed wider support. While further research is needed to consolidate and/or refute the typologies, the ecological approach shifts the focus away from mothers' decisions to consider the multi-level factors that need to be in place to enable women to breastfeed successfully. Further work to encourage help-seeking behaviors and toward improving facilities, support, and services is needed.

Designing for a Healthier Indore, India: Participatory Systems Mapping

In Indore, India, BHC engaged 247 multi-sector stakeholders through a systems mapping approach to gather qualitative data across three workshops and four citizen town halls from 2018 to 2020. These data were synthesized with results from BHC’s 18 other city activities to build a systems map and identify high-impact areas for engagement. Contextual findings showed a tension at the heart of Indore’s growth—Indore’s great success as a city has spurred rapid population growth. This growth creates pressure on municipal systems as population outpaces service delivery capacity. This is central to the systems map that BHC developed and is expanded upon through additional patterns that fall within four main domains: (1) leadership, governance, and financing; (2) essential service delivery and workforce; (3) information systems; and (4) community infrastructure and education. Stakeholders found three key leverage opportunities within this context that, if included in every action, could help overcome barriers. These opportunities are: (1) improving data quality, use, and integration; (2) supporting accountability to, and enforcement of, policies and regulations; and (3) increasing community engagement. Brought together through a better understanding of the key patterns driving system behavior from the context map and leverage opportunities, BHC was able to co-create, with stakeholders, seven “coherent actions” to move Indore to a healthier, more equitable state. When COVID-19 regulations ease, BHC and city officials will reconvene to finalize an implementation plan for these actions.

서비스러닝 운영 현황과 활성화 방안 연구

Objectives This study is aimed to examine the cases of operating service learning at K University and suggest ways to vitalize service learning based on the cases of its operation in order to realize qualitative improvement in the future operation of service learning-related courses. Methods To address the goal, this researcher examined the current status of service learning operated by K University located in B Metropolitan City for case study and analyzed the contents of assessment on satisfaction and operation performed in the second semester of 2021. To solve operational problems found in the operation of service learning, this author conducted literature review and sought ways to solve the problems and vitalize it. Results In the process of examining the cases of operating the courses of service learning at K University, four limitations were discovered. Based on that, this researcher suggests four ways to vitalize service learning. First, it is needed to establish community infrastructure. Second, instructors for service learning should be trained. Third, it is necessary to train students taking the courses of service learning. Fourth, universities should get support to extend the operation of service learning. Conclusions This study has investigated the limitations of service learning with the cases at K University and sought various ways to extend and vitalize the operation of service learning afterwards based on the ways of its vitalization. This study seems to be significant because grounded on that, it provides foundational material for follow-up research to be done multilaterally regarding effectiveness in the actual operation of service learning, results of learning, and the operation of service learning, too.

Examining the Needs of Green Infrastructure (GI) Facilities in Strata Low-cost Flats, Selangor

Rapid urbanization has transformed the pattern of urban land use to focus more on housing development. Unfortunately, the focus is less on improving the optimal use of community and green infrastructure (GI) facilities for communities in low-cost housing. Studies have shown that the lack of proper facilities and GI have impacted the individual, physical, psychological, and social health of a community. The outdoor facilities of low-cost housing developments are claimed to be very limited. Hence, the planning standards and guidelines for housing should go beyond their basic provisions, to offer a more conducive environment that improves the health and wellbeing of the community, especially in the event of a pandemic. Hence, the paper presents the preference of GI facilities in three low-cost strata housing flats in Selangor (Lembah Jaya, Kajang Utama, and PKNS PJS2 low-cost flats). The data collection consists of (a) spatial analysis using drone images that were converted into AutoCAD spatial maps; (b) interviews with the Joint Management Bodies; and (c) a questionnaire survey of residents (Lembah Jaya–n=116; Kajang Utama Flats–n=50; PKNS PJS2–n=85). The results reveal the limitations of the existing developments, challenges, and needs of the community. Considering the current COVID-19 pandemic, the outdoor spaces in the housing areas are indispensable for residents to relax their minds and do various allowable outdoor activities. This paper emphasizes that the provision of a new model for community and GI facilities in low-cost apartments is a must. A comfortable living environment in the area will support the ecological and social system of a community, thus promoting a good society. It urges the government, developers, and local governments to change the development approach for this type of housing to one that emphasizes a healthier, higher-quality, and more sustainable environment for the local community

Blueprint For the Future: Unhoused Tenant Organizing in Los Angeles

During the Covid-19 pandemic, an organized encampment at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles built community infrastructure that articulated a clear vision of a world built on class solidarity. But the success of the community also made it a threat to the racial capitalist order, and in March of 2021, the city deployed hundreds of riot police to mass evict the encampment and fence the park. This strategy became a blueprint for displacement replicated across the city, one in which services were conjoined to enforcement. But those who organized at Echo Park Lake continued the fight, creating their own blueprint for the ongoing fight for housing liberation.

Weaving Social Connectivity into the Community Fabric: Exploring Older Adult's Relationships to Technology and Place.

The wellbeing of older adults is positively impacted by ease of access to social networks and opportunities. In urban fringe communities, longer geographical distances, combined with mobility and health issues, can lead to decreased access to community life. Technology can facilitate socialisation opportunities for older adults living in more geographically isolated locations, but we need to work with communities to better understand how technology can fit into their existing social tapestry and community infrastructure. We conducted an explorative, qualitative study consisting of in-depth semi-structured interviews with members of an urban fringe community (n = 2), and a community mapping focus group (n = 14). Transcripts and mapping materials were analysed thematically, and also the method’s suitability explored. The community mapping proved suitable to uncover the complexity of technology use to support social connectivity. We found that while technology was perceived as valuable by our participants, there were also significant fears and concerns surrounding its use related to the abstract concept of online friendship and the steep learning curve required to master some platforms. Inclusive communities connected by technology require tailored and customised community-led technology initiatives in order to accommodate for the unique social and geographical contexts in which they live. We outline the next steps for future research on technology-supported social connectivity within urban fringe communities.

Understanding the longitudinal dynamics of rural–urban mental health disparities in later life in China

Objectives Understanding longitudinal patterns of rural–urban mental health disparities is vital for effective intervention and policy development in China. However, few studies have estimated separate effects of birth-cohort and ageing and examined the role of community resources on health inequalities. Methods Drawing data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011–2018), this study employed multilevel modelling to identify the mental health trajectories of rural, peri-urban, urban older adults by cohort and the community effects. Results The changes in the mental health gap between rural, peri-urban and urban older adults over time varied by birth cohorts. Among younger cohorts aged under 65, the mental health disparities between rural, peri-urban and urban residents increased as they got older. Underdeveloped community infrastructure greatly explained the rural health disadvantage. Conclusion The study indicates increasing rural–urban health disparities at the onset of later life. Improving community infrastructure in rural and peri-urban areas is vital to minimise rural–urban health gaps.

Identifying Feasible and Impactful Approaches to Implementing Telehealth in Rural Washington Communities: Group Concept Mapping Study

Background The expansion of telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic increased access to health care services for many US residents. This is particularly true for provider-to-patient telehealth communication. In rural communities, telehealth can increase access to health care services that would otherwise be limited due to geographic and distance barriers. The adoption of telehealth in rural communities, however, has been hindered by technology barriers, lack of community awareness, and lack of provider buy-in. The purpose of this study was to explore community-identified approaches to improving telehealth access in rural North Central Washington. Objective The aim of this study was to identify, group, and rate approaches to expanding and integrating telehealth in rural communities in North Central Washington. Methods We used group concept mapping, a participant-engaged, mixed method approach, to explore participant perspectives and preferences. Purposively sampled participants were community leaders and stakeholders in rural North Central Washington. Participants brainstormed strategies for implementing and expanding community telehealth access in their community and sorted them into conceptually similar groups. Strategies were then rated by participants in terms of potential impact, feasibility, and the cost of implementation. Quantitative analyses included multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis to produce a cluster map and pattern match graph for interpreting the community members’ ideas and preferences. Results Participant brainstorming yielded 70 strategies for implementing telehealth in rural North Central Washington. Strategies were individually sorted into groups (point map stress value 0.21), producing a 6-cluster solution. The clusters were “Community infrastructure,” “Ensuring access to telehealth technology,” “Technology infrastructure for telehealth,” “Training/awareness of telehealth,” “State- and policy-level considerations,” and “Health care systems engagement and delivery.” Participants rated “Training/awareness of telehealth” and “Health care systems engagement and delivery” to be highly impactful and feasible approaches. The “Training/awareness of telehealth” cluster included strategies such as educating community members that telehealth is an easy, reliable, convenient, and private way to access health care and providing community training on how to access health care remotely. The latter cluster, “Health care systems engagement and delivery,” included approaches that were ranked as highly feasible and impactful, such as engaging with clinics and providers on overcoming barriers to implementing telehealth services or ensuring that local health clinic staff is on board with telehealth as an alternative platform to provide services. Conclusions Strategies identified and rated by participants incorporate the importance of community engagement in telehealth implementation, including educating community members about telehealth and engaging with community health clinics to facilitate use by providers. Community partners in North Central Washington will use these findings, along with additional community survey data, broadband speed test data, and provider input, to increase access to telehealth in their rural and remote communities. Conflicts of Interest None declared.

Administrative Roles Performance of Community Development Workers and Public Infrastructure Development Outcomes in Rural Communities in Ogun state, Nigeria

This study is on administrative roles performance of community development workers and public infrastructure development outcomes in rural communities,Ogun state, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design of the ex-post facto type was used. Using total enumeration sampling technique, 813 respondentsparticipated in the study. An adapted instrument “Administrative Roles Performance of Community Development Workers in Public InfrastructureDevelopment Project Questionnaire (ARPCDWPIDPQ)’’ designed for the study was subjected to Cronbach Alpha test of internal consistency, whichyielded 0.75. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and correlation matrix at 0.05 level of significance. Correlation analysis showed positivesignificant relationship between administrative roles of community development workers and infrastructure development outcomes i.e ownership andcontrol of public infrastructure (r=.693), citizen participation in management of public infrastructure (r=.592), access and utilization of public infrastructure(r=.682), productive activities/income (r=.540) and capacity building/enhancement of technical expertise (r=.409) respectively. This indicates thatthe independent variable had significant positive relationship with all the dependent variables at 0.05 level of significant. Hence, the null hypothesiswas rejected at 0.05 level of significance. It is recommended that professional community development workers should be properly trained to improvetheir efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of public infrastructure development.

PERANCANGAN KAWASAN GELANGGANG OLAHRAGA DI KOTA SEKADAU

The sports arena is a place to do sports activities. The existence of the arena has an important role so that the goals of exercise can be achieved. In Sekadau Regency at this time the place is still not available, so that services for the community in Sekadau Regency have not been fulfilled to the fullest. Meeting the needs of community infrastructure services and improving human quality is one of the goals of designing the arena building. The existence of a sports arena in Sekadau Regency not only supports the community in exercising, but can be used outside of sports activities. The sports arena has more than one activity that is accommodated so that it has the potential to become a center for gathering public activities and becoming an icon of the city. The design of the sports arena area aims to facilitate sports activities, public spaces and become an icon of Sekadau City. In this design the glass box method is used to support the design objectives. The results of the design of the sports arena area in the form of areas and buildings that elevate locality values, form an area and building design that displays characteristics and is only found in Sekadau City.

Research on reconstruction of old community of university unit-- A case study of the North District of Anyang Normal University

With the rapid development of China's economy, politics and culture, university community has experienced the rise of "unit compound" in the city, and then the transition to urban community is tortuous. In the city, there are more and more old residential areas, accounting for a higher and higher proportion. "Unit compound" architectural performance, architectural appearance, road traffic, public supporting facilities, community culture and other aspects can not meet the contradiction between people's growing needs for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development, the community infrastructure supporting facilities and public service facilities urgently need to improve. Taking the old family affiliated college of Anyang Normal University in Henan Province as an example, according to the current situation and some existing problems, according to these problems, aiming at the characteristics of the old community in colleges and universities, the article puts forward some effective and feasible methods for the transformation of family affiliated college. In order to achieve the goal of enhancing functions, inheriting cultural context and reconstructing vitality, the optimization countermeasures and ideas of public service facilities layout are put forward from the aspects of supplementing public welfare facilities, excavating stock space, improving community micro-environment and promoting public participation.

Directions of increasing the efficiency of the development of social infrastructure enterprises in rural communities under the conditions of decentralization

The subject of the study is theoretical aspects and practical proposals regarding the strategic directions of development of enterprises and institutions of social infrastructure in the countryside under conditions of decentralization. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the theoretical principles and practical recommendations regarding the directions of development and increasing the efficiency of the functioning of enterprises of the social infrastructure of rural territorial communities in conditions of decentralization. The methodological basis of the article is the methods and approaches of economic, institutional and theory of sustainable development. In particular, historical, monographic, economic comparisons, statistical-economic, systemic-structural analysis and synthesis were used. Results of the article. As a result of the research, it was found that the main problems of the enterprises of the socio-cultural sphere, respectively, and the strategic directions of development relate to the optimization of their placement and ensuring operation and proper maintenance; expansion of the range of services and their optimization and new forms of provision; development of new sources of financing, motivation of personnel and intensification of community cooperation in socio-cultural activities. The directions of the development of educational institutions relate to improving the quality of educational services, improving the content and organization of training, financing, including and on the principles of implementing the "New Ukrainian School" concept; ensuring budgeting and filling of preschool education institutions with children; increasing the prestige and preserving the network of professional (vocational and technical) education institutions on the basis of duality of education, improving educational programs in cooperation with employers. The directions of development of medical institutions in the village relate to the spread of family and insurance medicine; improvement of primary medical care forms; introduction of innovations in all types of services and financial income "according to the patient". Field of application of results. Conclusions and practical recommendations can be used in the activities of social infrastructure enterprises; business and public organizations; territorial communities and their leadership; the educational process of institutions of secondary special and higher education. Conclusions. A comprehensive analysis of the problems of the development of enterprises and organizations and institutions of the main sectors of social infrastructure in the village (socio-cultural, educational, medical) made it possible to come to the conclusion that they were and in many cases remain acute and require an urgent solution; have different manifestations in accordance with sectoral and territorial characteristics; depend on the effectiveness of the management decisions of the management, community specialists, and the active civic position of all their members. Meanwhile, it is decentralization that allows them to be solved most productively, systematically and in a short time. The financial resources and authorities available to communities already provide and can provide in the future the main strategic directions of the development of social infrastructure enterprises: optimization of the number, placement and capacity of institutions and forms of service provision; introduction of innovations directly into the main activity, management and organization, investment and their modernization.

Mapping Resilience in the Town Camps of Mparntwe

From the perspective of urban planning, the history of the Town Camps of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) has made them a unique form of urban development within Australia; they embody at once a First Nation form of urbanism and Country, colonial policies of inequity and dispossession, and a disparate public and community infrastructure that reflects the inadequate and ever-changing funding landscape it has been open to. While these issues continue, this paper discusses the resilience of these communities through the Local Decision Making agreement, signed in 2019 between the Northern Territory Government and Tangentyere Council. One thing that has been critical to translating and communicating local decisions for government funding has been the establishment of an inclusive and robust process of participatory mapping—Mapping Local Decisions—where both the deficiencies and potential of community infrastructure within each Town Camp is being identified. As local community knowledge is embedded within these practices, so too are issues of health, accessibility, safety and a changing climate similarly embedded within the architectural and infrastructure projects developed for government funding. Being conceived and supported by local communities, projects are finding better ways to secure this funding, building on a resilience these communities have for the places they live.

Female education and maternal health care utilization: evidence from Uganda

BackgroundMaternal health care is among the key indicators of population health and economic development. Therefore, the study attempted to explore female education and maternal healthcare utilization in Uganda. The study identified the causal effect of introduction of free education by exploiting the age as an instrument at the second stage model (BMC Health Serv Res. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0943-8; Matern Child Health J. 2009;14:988–98). This instrument provided an exogenous source of variation in the years of schooling and allowed to implement a regression discontinuity design which accounted for heterogeneity in the cohort overtime.MethodsThe study used the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) to help predict years of schooling that were used in the second stage model in the Two Stage Least Squares (2SLS). The study further used the Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) model with a running variable of birth years to observe its effect on education. To control for heterogeneity in regions in the second stage model, a fixed effects model was used.ResultsFemale education indeed had a positive impact on maternal health care utilization. It was further found out that age also influences maternal health care utilization.ConclusionsTherefore, as an effort to improve professional maternal health care utilisation, there is need to focus on education beyond primary level. Uganda Government should also ensure that there is an improvement in community infrastructure and security across all regions and locations.

Design of a Photovoltaic System to Partially Supply Electrical Energy to a Residential Complex Located South of Bogotá, Colombi

The Torres de Bellavista residential complex has 1,500 apartments, distributed in five towers of thirty floors each, a nine-story building for approximately 750 parking spaces and other community infrastructure. Given the dimensions of this set, it is presumed that electricity consumption entails high economic and environmental costs, so one way to solve this cost is the use of alternative, non-conventional methods of electricity generation, for this reason, it is proposed to design a photovoltaic system that allows partial supply of electricity to the common and administrative areas of the residential complex. The calculations of the components of the photovoltaic system were carried out using the methodology of the worst month, which consists of finding the month in which the relationship between solar irradiation and electricity consumption makes it more difficult to satisfy the energy demand; When making the design under these conditions, it will be guaranteed that the rest of the year an electricity supply greater than the month of the calculations will be achieved. This methodology made it possible to demonstrate that, with the installation of 100 photovoltaic solar panels distributed on the roofs of the 5 towers and connected to the supply network, it is possible to satisfy up to 27% of the energy demand of the common areas. To achieve the objective of this proposal, an initial investment of COP 220,453,967 must be made, of which 50% must be financed by a bank. However, the investment can be recovered between 5 and 6 years after implementation, starting to generate returns for the rest of the estimated useful life of 25 years. The benefits of implementing this proposal are not only economic but also environmental, since it manages to reduce Greenhouse Gas-GHG emissions by 37.07 tCO2e for the first year of implementation.

Evaluation of Educational Strategies in the Design Process of Infrastructure for a Healthy Sustainable Housing Community

There is a growing trend in academic research in Saudi Arabia on the topics related to sustainable housing and the relative health of the occupants. This article deals with the evaluation of the innovative teaching strategies implemented while completing the planning of a healthy sustainable housing project in an intensive design studio workshop of 3rd year students at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning in Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam. The students were supervised by the respective department faculty members as well as the experts from the industry invited for the sessional and final jury exams. The studio workshop resulted in a comprehensive master plan of a healthy sustainable neighborhood that was designed based on the main objective of the health of the occupants. The designed master plan took into account the national and international planning standards, local housing policies, and regulations. Students showed substantial advances in their skills and understanding of the project. The output of the design studio was measured by comparing the average student score and online feedback surveys for the last five years.

Gendered Determinants of Food Security Inequities Within Intersectionality Framework: Case Study From Uganda

ObjectivesFood security (FS) research shows that disadvantaged groups, defined through characteristics such as gender, have less resources, and human and social capital, face more barriers to exercise their rights and are more marginalized. This study aims to determine sources of FS inequities intersecting with gender, measuring their relative significance. MethodsWe used nationally representative data from Gallup World Poll, Uganda 2019 (n = 951). A binary logit model was estimated at different equity levels before and after accounting for gender differences. Predicted probabilities of FS were used to identify differences between men and women across different determinants. We used the difference-in-difference approach to test the interaction of gender with variables exhibiting a gender difference in magnitude, direction, or significance. We tested whether a) such differences (gender gaps) are statistically significant; b) gender significantly intersects with each of those variables. We computed odds ratios that included significant intersections between gender and selected variables. ResultsDespite gender differences in several FS determinants, there was a significant gender gap among low-educated (p < 0.1), low-income, married, and socially supported (all p < 0.05) men and women. Further difference-in-difference analysis showed that gender significantly intersected with social support and marital status (p < 0.05). Accounting for gender variability, the final model showed that residing in the Eastern region, lacking shelter, and being a single woman decreased FS odds. More adults in the household, higher education and income, social support, and satisfaction with community infrastructures enhanced FS status. ConclusionsThis is a first attempt to model and test gender differences using a difference-in-difference approach within an intersectionality framework. Results suggest that conventional FS approaches may not suffice to reduce inequities if gender is conceived as a control variable rather than a foundation to explain inequities. Gendered-centered analysis helps identify most disadvantaged groups and inform policies to target inequities. Funding SourcesFonds de Recherche du Québec Société et Culture (FRQSC), QC Canada; McGill University.

Process evaluation of an academic-community-government partnership to reduce liver diseases attributable to hepatitis B virus

BackgroundRacial/ethnic minorities have higher incidence and mortality rates of liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma, than non-Hispanic Whites. As such, the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area Hepatitis B Virus (WB-HBV) Demonstration Project, a community-based participatory research (CBPR)-driven academic-community-government (ACG) partnership, was established in 2019 to address disparities and implement strategies to improve the HBV screening and vaccination infrastructure for at-risk communities. CBPR is a partnership of community members, organizational leaders, and academic researchers with a common aim to collectively share and contribute their input at every phase of the project.Herein, we describe the process evaluation of the WB-HBV Project and extract themes and insights to benefit future ACG partnerships and community-engaged research. The process evaluation has been conducted to determine whether CBPR-driven partnership and programmatic activities have been implemented as intended and have resulted in building expanded research capacity for future ACG partnership HBV community-level initiatives.MethodsA WB-HBV Project Task Force was convened and comprised of eight organizations: four community organizations, three government organizations, and one academic institution. Through a mixed-methods process evaluation, an online survey and key informant interviews were conducted to provide context for program implementation barriers and facilitators. Descriptive statistics were conducted, and interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded.ResultsThe survey was completed by 14 of 20 partnership members (70.0%): two academic, eight community, and four government members. Partnership members showed general agreement across 14 domains: organization and structure of meetings; trust; decisions; impact; general satisfaction; strategic planning; ACG policy impact; community-based participatory research and government; participation in meetings; assessment of participation; partnership operations and capacity; communication; challenges/limitations associated with ACG involvement; and benefits compared to challenges associated with ACG involvement. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 of the 20 members (75.0%): two academic, nine community, and four government members. Four themes emerged: partnership involvement, project goals and accomplishments, project challenges and barriers, and partnership involvement in government or policy.ConclusionsThe process evaluation presents insights into developing strategies to enhance partnership functioning and increase the ability of present and future ACG partnerships to improve community health outcomes.

Designing Equitable, Transparent Community-Engaged Disaster Research.

Disaster research faces significant infrastructure challenges: regional and federal coordination, access to resources, and community collaboration. Disasters can lead to chemical exposures that potentially impact human health and cause concern in affected communities. Community-engaged research, which incorporates local knowledge and voices, is well-suited for work with communities that experience impacts of environmental exposures following disasters. We present three examples of community-engaged disaster research (CEnDR) following oil spills, hurricanes, and wildfires, and their impact on long-term social, physical, and technical community infrastructure. We highlight the following CEnDR structures: researcher/community networks; convenient research tools; adaptable data collection modalities for equitable access; and return of data.

The attributes of social resilience: understanding refugeesʼ housing choices

The current literature on migrantsʼ housing experience in Australia and internationally often uses spatial and economic conditions of disadvantage and adverse personal circumstances to frame the description of migrantsʼ resettlement. Even when using positive frameworks, such as inclusion and integration, the focus is on the lack of resources and support. This article uses the conceptual lens of resilience as an alternative framework for describing migrantsʼ resettlement experience. Using the case study of the Sudanese refugees living in the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia, this article describes the settlement process from the migrantsʼ perspective, discussing the link between settlement processes and the housing choices of migrants with a refugee background, using the concept of resilience. In particular, the article focuses on the external triggers that ignite, support and strengthen the different components of the migrantsʼ resilience. These triggers are defined as ‘attributes of resilienceʼ. The study identified four attributes of social resilience applicable and relevant to the housing choices and settlement patterns of the Sudanese refugee migrants settled in Perth. These are: knowledge, skills and learning; community networks; people–place connections; and community infrastructures. The article illustrates how the attributes assisted these migrants in developing tools and mechanisms to build new opportunities and negotiate and access suitable housing opportunities. The findings presented in this article stress the need, within the resettlement experience, to consider housing issues outside the simple provision of affordable and appropriate dwellings, including recognising the relationship between social and spatial domains.