Divided City Research Articles

Local-scale residential concentration and income inequalities of the main foreign-born population groups in the Spanish urban space. Reaffirming the model of a divided city

ABSTRACT This study presents a spatial analysis of suburban inequalities (residential concentration and income inequalities) among the main foreign-born population groups resident in Spain (Italians, Britons, Chinese, Moroccans and Romanians) in Madrid and Barcelona. Through a local spatial approach at census tract level, a number of relevant issues are highlighted, including the existence, both in Madrid and in Barcelona, of a divided space that shows a marked contrast between the city of the rich and that of the poor. The former includes the foreign-born population from more developed countries, while the latter contains Moroccans and Romanians. The Chinese population seem to follow their own pattern, which cannot be compared to that of the other population groups. It therefore seems that country of birth determines the outcome of spatial distributions and the degree of integration in spatially divided, and therefore more fragile, contexts. The emergent theme of divided cities, especially in its ethnic and spatial dimension, is gaining increased importance in ‘old Europe’.

A modified ACO with K-Opt for restricted covering salesman problems in different environments

In this study, the ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is modified with the K-Opt operation to solve the covering salesman problem (CSP) under one restriction in crisp and imprecise (fuzzy, rough) environments. A CSP involves two phases—the division of cities into groups with the selection of the visiting cities and searching of the Hamiltonian circuit through the visiting cities. But, none of the studies in the literature is made following the direct approach. Also, none of the studies in the literature gives attention to reduce the total travel distance of the unvisited cities from the visited city of a group. Moreover, there is no algorithm in the literature which provides the solution of a CSP with the specified coverage range r. Also, none has introduced any algorithm to solve CSPs in imprecise environments. Though algorithms are available to solve the Traveling Salesman Problems in the imprecise environments, the approach cannot deal with the problems involving fuzzy data with nonlinear membership functions or the problems involving rough data where the rough estimation can not be done using Lebesgue measure. The well-established algorithm for any routing problem is the ACO, but not much attention has been paid to solve the CSP using ACOs. To overcome these limitations on the studies of the ACO on the CSPs, here, an algorithm is proposed for the division of groups of the set of cities depending upon the maximum number of cities in a group and the total number of groups. Then, ACO is used to find the shortest/minimum-cost path of the problem by selecting only one visiting the city from each group without violating the restriction of the specified coverage range r of the location of the unvisited cities. K-Opt operation is applied periodically at the end of ACO operation to improve the quality of the best found solution so far by the ACO algorithm and to arrest any premature convergence. For the restricted problems, paths are searched in such a manner that the total distance/travel cost of different unvisited cities of a group from the visited city of the group should not exceed a predefined upper limit. To solve the problem in an imprecise environment, some approach is followed so that the tour is searched without transferring the imprecise optimisation problem into an equivalent crisp optimisation problem. Also, the simulation approaches in fuzzy and rough environments are proposed to deal with the CSPs with any type of estimation of the imprecise data set. Algorithm is tested with the standard benchmark crisp problems available in the literature. To test the algorithm in the imprecise environments, the imprecise instances are derived randomly from the standard crisp instances using a specified rule. Test results imply that the proposed algorithm is efficient enough in solving the CSPs in the crisp as well as in the imprecise environments.

Developmentally appropriate practices for learners’ literacy in Public Elementary Schools

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) for learners’ literacy in public elementary schools in the Naga City division. It was geared towards identifying whether teachers’ educational practices are age-, individually-, and socio-culturally-appropriate. A mixed-method comprised of descriptive-evaluative, correlational, and development research designs was employed in this study. The participants were the kindergarten teachers in the Naga City division. The survey questionnaire was the research instrument used in data gathering and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to validate the data obtained from the questionnaire. Secondary data were secured to identify the learners’ literacy levels. The statistical tools used in the study were frequency counting and getting the percentage, weighted mean and ranking, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Findings showed that the utilization of DAPs along the three principle-components was “Extremely Important,” as assessed by the respondents. The learners’ literacy level in kindergarten was found to be “Close to Approximating Mastery.” The teachers’ use of DAPs was significantly related to learners’ literacy level. The DAPs implementation’s best practices were generally based on kindergarten teachers’ teaching strategies and school-teacher-pupil-related factors and considered the primary concern for implementing the DAPs. A training design was developed based on the teachers’ needs to enhance and sustain the DAPs implementation among kindergarten schools.

THE INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL CULTURAL ELEMENTS AND ATTITUDE ON SELF-EFFICACY OF TEACHERS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of school cultural activities and teacher attitude and self-efficacy of teachers in Physical Education. Utilizing quantitative, non-experimental design via correlational technique, data were obtained from 300 respondents of the study who are teachers in public secondary schools in Digos City division and Davao del Sur division. The researcher utilized the total population technique and survey mode of data collection. The researcher also utilized the statistical tools mean, Pearson r, and multiple regression. From the results of the study, it was found out that there is a very high level of mean scores for all variables of school cultural elements, teacher attitude and self-efficacy of teachers in Physical Education. Also, results revealed that there are significant relationships between school cultural elements and self-efficacy, between teacher attitude and self-efficacy of public school teachers. Further, it was revealed there is a significant influence on the domains of school cultural elements and teacher attitude on the self-efficacy of teachers in Physical Education, and that the domains professional values, collaboration, leadership, and classroom management best influence the teaching efficacy of teachers in Physical Education.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0910/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Challenge to improve Japan's deplorable HPV vaccination rate by local government actions.

In Japan, in 2013, following reports of several alleged adverse reactions in young girls following vaccination, the previously successful national human papillomavirus infection (HPV) vaccination program collapsed rapidly. In the 8 years since vaccination rates have hovered near zero. In October of 2020, in an attempt to mitigate this lingering disaster, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) agency finally revised its HPV vaccination informational leaflet that was designed to be distributed by local governments nationwide. Prior to this revision, Toyonaka City, in Japan's Osaka province, had already begun sending out their own unique leaflet to girls in the targeted 6th-10th grades. As a preview of how MHLW's revised leaflet might eventually succeed, we have studied the HPV vaccination results from Toyonaka City's experiment. This study was a population-based analysis that compared the monthly rates of new vaccinations in girls of a targeted grade school age group. We looked at rates before and after the leaflets were sent by Toyonaka City's Division of Health Promotion and Senior Services. The vaccination rates between April 2020 and March 2021 were improved across all grades; 1.2% in 6th grade (p=0.000185), 2.5% in 7th grade (p < 0.0001), 3.5% in 8th grade (p < 0.0001), 6.8% in 9th grade (p < 0.0001), and a remarkable 16.5% in 10th grade (p < 0.0001). When a local government sends an HPV informational leaflet targeted at young girls, it can significantly improve their HPV vaccination rates.

Challenges and Opportunities in Online Distance Learning Modality in One Public Secondary School in the Philippines

The Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan of the Department of Education highlights the use of different learning delivery modalities to assure that education continues amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Online distance learning modality (ODLM) has become increasingly available to provide new pathways of learning experiences during emergency remote education. This study was conducted to determine the students’ perceived challenges and opportunities in ODLM at a public secondary school in the Division of San Pablo City. Convergent parallel mixed methods research design was employed; survey questionnaires were administered to 300 respondents who were selected from Grades 7 to 12 learners through stratified random sampling. To analyze the data, mean and standard deviation were computed. To verify the results, in-depth interview was conducted among 12 purposively selected participants. Thematic analysis was then used to interpret these responses. Results proved that majority of the students did not perceive motivation, learning resources, support system, and digital self-efficacy as challenges. Despite these satisfactory results, there are still students who encounter challenges such as lack of motivation, unstable internet connection, and voluminous tasks. Moreover, majority of them perceived self-directed learning, learning outcomes, convenience and ease, and accessibility as opportunities. Students take responsibility of their own learning, develop digital literacy, and improve time management skills. Opportunities are evident; however, challenges are inevitable. School administrators, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders should work together to deliver quality education among learners despite the change in learning modality. An action plan is proposed to lessen the challenges and strengthen the opportunities in ODLM.

Learning Outcomes between Sixth-Graders in Multigrade Classes and Monograde Classes

Filipino students' scores and performances in international tests such as the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) indicate the country's performance in Science, Mathematics, and reading which is linked to the level of students’ critical thinking. Interrelated to this, the National Achievement Test found that pupils in Gingoog City Division are quite poorly whose learning outcomes are influenced by its schooling: rural and urban. The Philippines is a country that is composed of many multigrade schools as an alternative to monograde schools. With this, researchers disclose the level of critical thinking as learning outcomes of Grade 6 students in multigrade and monograde classes and figure out if multigrade education is a factor to consider. The study used a causal-comparative design of research and cluster sampling, consisting of four multigrade Grade 6 classes with 44 total respondents and two monograde schools with 46 total respondents in the same district of Gingoog City. For the analysis of data, frequency and percentage were utilized to measure the students' reading critical thinking in multigrade and monograde classes respectively, and Mann-Whitney test was performed to determine the significant difference between the critical thinking levels of both groups. Findings revealed that there is no significant difference in students’ achievement between multigrade and monograde courses. In terms of critical thinking, students in the monograde classroom performed fairly better than the students in the monograde classroom despite of the same quality of instruction. Multigrade education has no impact on critical thinking outcomes. Thus, it is recommended that multigrade implementation be continued as a viable learning alternative to the standard monograde classroom.

Neighborhood Planning for a Divided City: The Case of Beirut

This article discusses planning within Municipal Beirut, Lebanon, while focusing on the specific context of divided cities and societies, proposing a series of recommendations based on socio-economic and political science and planning theory to understand such contexts. It explores the case of Municipal Beirut that has undergone a devastating blast on August 4th, 2020, and left thousands of households in critical condition by leaving an already shattered sectarian city/society with an unforeseen planning future. By examining successful examples or frameworks in other cities and similar-context cities in history with urban/social shocks, evaluating current planning initiatives, and analyzing the case study of the recent Beirut Urban Declaration report, this article investigates neighborhood planning as a flexible framework that one must undertake to provide the divided city of Beirut a healthy and sustainable development. It argues that difference and diversity are a noteworthy feature of the city of Beirut and its society and should hence be incorporated in any planning approach even if the consequences on the ground may differ. Considering that planning could change the spatial, socio-economic, and political dimensions of a defined urban space, this article explores which of these dimensions can be used to intensify or lessen contestations over space in Beirut under the current sectarian culture reflected in both social and spatial realms. In the wake of the blast and amid all these divisions, this article will show that neighborhood planning stands out as a flexible and sustainable solution. By establishing a spatially targeted program, introducing innovative tools for neighborhood planning and management, and initiating a small-scale governance structure, neighborhood planning will create an intermediate level between the municipality, citizens, and other local actors, enhancing its social capital and leading eventually to an undivided planning strategy at a national and city scale.

Galkaio, Somalia: bridging the border

ABSTRACT A better understanding of ‘local’ agreements vis-a-vis national reconciliation processes is a strong current in policy and academic circles, with Somalia acknowledged as a relevant context with a rich history of such processes. This article examines a local agreement reached in Galkaio, a divided city where renewed violence had national implications around the formation of a new Federal system. It explores the role of external mediators, and strategies used to create buy-in at different levels in the process in order to forge ann agreement that could end violence and address some underlying conflict drivers. It argues how experimentation with sequencing, linking and moving between levels helped ensure the viability and sustainability of the process. It contributes to the literature on mediating multi-level conflicts by focusing analysis on the role played by external mediators, demonstrating the importance of who mediates and how while providing insight into dynamic conflict mediation environments.

Relationship of Master Teachers’ Mentoring Competency, Teachers’ Performance and Students’ Academic Achievement

This study ascertained the level of mentoring competency of master teachers, its relationship to the teachers’ performance and academic achievement of students in public elementary schools of Tetuan District, Zamboanga City Division. This provided recommendations in strengthening capacity of master teachers in mentoring and developing positive attitudes and modifying practices to improve teachers’ performance and students’ academic achievement. The study adopted descriptive-quantitative research design. The level of mentoring competency of master teachers in terms of mentoring was highly competent. The performance of teachers was excellent. The academic achievement level of the pupils was good. There was a significant relationship between master teachers’ competency and teaching performance of teachers.

Leadership development in divided cities: The Homecomer, Middleman, and Pathfinder

ABSTRACT Group leaders play a vital role in divided cities, particularly in local problem-solving and in everyday contestations. Their role as negotiators makes them perfectly positioned to promote urban processes for the group to which they belong but also raises questions regarding their loyalty. Seeking to understand these individuals’ thinking, this study asks how leaders from different groups in a divided city explain their development as leaders. Utilizing a life-story approach, we present a narrative analysis of 40 life-stories, as told by local leaders representing the main social groups in Jerusalem. Our findings suggest that leaders from different groups use distinctive narratives to ensure their relevancy: “The Homecomer,” used by Israeli-Jews; “The Middleman,” used by Palestinian-Arabs; and “The Pathfinder,” used by Israeli Ultraorthodox-Jews. More importantly, we found that all these leaders share a similar mind-set, what we call leadership development as discovery. Indeed, their development includes formative events that differentiate them from their community, helping them to see the divided city from a different perspective and positioning them as leaders. Understanding and acknowledging this spatial aspect in their narratives can be a first step in facilitating group collaborations, empowering local leaders, and even leading to the emergence of new ones. Our implications go beyond divided cities and can be further studied in ordinary cities.

Trembling city: Policing Freetown’s war-peace transition

While divided cities are characterized by spatially cemented segregation and polarized divisions, the trembling city is organized around transient and transformative borders. We conceptualize this notion of urban space to capture Freetown’s war-peace transition in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ex-combatants settled on the city margins, bringing with them spatial strategies from war-fighting into the city by recreating a system of bases. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) re-emerged with external support, seeking to compartmentalize and fixate Freetown through a combination of force and negotiation. We use borders and bordering to understand policing as attempts by both ex-combatants and the SLP to border in as well as out; defensively against external interference and offensively to make territorial claims. By extension, it is tensions in these practices between attempts to defend and harden borders, and at the same time, expand and soften them that trigger a tremble. The city tremble was a reminder of the possibility of war that Freetown very easily could return to. It also became a more general and inconspicuous condition of the city as an inhabited space, where multiple and often incompatible and conflictual spatial logics, strategies, and practices of policing clashed, overlapped and co-existed uneasily.

School Heads Attitudes toward the Inclusion of Learners with Special Education Needs in the Division of San Jose City, Nueva ECIJA

School Heads Attitudes toward the Inclusion of Learners with Special Education Needs in the Division of San Jose City, Nueva ECIJA

Demographic Changes in the Cities of Lower Silesia in the Perspective of Sustainable Development

The article discusses and evaluates, against the background of selected issues in the theory of urban demography concerning sustainable development, changes in the number of inhabitants in Lower Silesian cities, and to indicate possible development paths for individual categories of cities. All Lower Silesian cities are the subject of the study. The research covered the period 2000-2020. The cities are categorised into small, medium, and large, and their specific characteristics are primarily related to their location. The article uses a descriptive method, simple statistical methods, comparative analysis, and an expert method. The latter proposed the division of cities into categories in terms of demographic changes and sustainable development paths for individual city categories. The results show that Lower Silesian cities (as a group) are ageing, regardless of their size, yet a detailed case study indicated a relatively large group of cities (mainly small) with a growing population and growth potential.

A Study on Comprehensive Land Use for the Entire City in Divided City Planning Areas, Including Areas Outside of City Planning Areas

A Study on Comprehensive Land Use for the Entire City in Divided City Planning Areas, Including Areas Outside of City Planning Areas

Work Attitude and Performance of Elementary School Teachers in the City Division of San Carlos

Work Attitude and Performance of Elementary School Teachers in the City Division of San Carlos

On the need for political integration in cities

ABSTRACT Cities are large and densely populated areas, a fact that can influence how individuals relate to each other. However, the intensity and dynamism of cities make them a site for particular kinds of divisions, which may produce inequalities. This is visible through residential segregation, which is the territorial division of groups into largely homogeneous areas correlated with socio-economic disparities and individuals’ negative perceptions of otherness. At the very least, residential segregation delimits what some can get from cities in terms of accessing resources and respectful treatment. According to Elizabeth Anderson, it is necessary from a normative perspective to remedy residential segregation with integration. Drawing on her approach, I put forward a relational egalitarian diagnosis, as well as an integrationist project, to help foster mutual respect between city dwellers. In order to operationalise this normative demand, but in a way distinct from Anderson’s project, I explore what is lost when integration focuses only on physical changes, overlooking role divisions in cities and a fair participatory process for achieving equality.

Factors Affecting the Career Choices of Graduating Public Secondary Students in Ligao City Division, Ligao City, Philippines

The purpose of the study was to determine the career choices of graduating public secondary students in Ligao City Division, Ligao City, Philippines, and the factors affecting their career choices. This study identified respondents with focused variables on career choices and the factors affecting career choices. The study expanded career choices in different aspects. This study utilized a questionnaire checklist that facilitated the data-gathering through sampling. The findings revealed that out of 976 secondary students, they interested in Tourism and Culinary Arts(18%), Education and Business (17%), Engineering (16%), Science and Technology and in Medical and Health Care (9%), Arts and Design (6%), and Communication and Information Services and Technical Courses (4%). The career choices of the graduating secondary students are influenced by a family (90%), personal interest (77%), and career opportunities(57%), higher education (51%), and the school where they are presently enrolled (49%). The study concludes that the graduating secondary students are interested in the following career choices in descending order: Tourism and Culinary Arts, Education, Business, Engineering, Science and Technology, Medical and Health Care, Arts and Design, Communication and Information Services, and Technical Courses. Results of this study may serve individuals who are involved in teaching or managing secondary schools in terms of strengthening the curriculum and instructions to provide career needs of graduates.

Vukovar – memory conflicts as an obstacle to Serbo-Croatian reconciliation

30 years after the tragic events in Vukovar, the Serb and Croatian communities live side by side, each cultivating their memory of their own tragedy and their own victims. The peaceful reintegration, that Croats are proud of, did not go hand in hand with building an atmosphere of reconciliation. No wonder then, that Vukovar is a model example of a divided city, where the mental divisions and psychological barriers affect its politics and everyday life. It seems that such a situation is favourable to politicians in Belgrade and Zagreb. One gets the impression that, as in 1991, Vukovar is becoming a victim of great politics and the clash of Serbian and Croatian nationalism.

READING MOTIVATION APPROACH UTILIZED BY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF CLUSTER III ALAMINOS CITY DIVISION

This study was conducted to determine the level of utilization of the reading motivation approaches by public elementary school teachers in Cluster III of Alaminos City Division during the school year 2019 - 2020. Specifically, it delved on determining the profile of the respondents, the level of utilization of teachers on the reading motivation approaches, and the level of seriousness of the problems encountered by the teachers in utilizing the reading motivation approaches. Likewise, it determined the significance of the difference of the level of utilization of the public elementary schools on the reading motivation approaches across their profile variables. Moreover, it determined if the level of seriousness of the problems encountered in utilizing the reading motivation approaches differ significantly across the respondent-teachers’ profile variables. The study made use of the descriptive-survey method of research with the FivePoint Likert Questionnaire as the main tool used in gathering pertinent data to this study.