Community Life Research Articles

Influence of Forest Plantation Establishment Schemes on Community Livelihoods: A Case of Makutano Forest Kericho County, Kenya

Exploitation of forest resources has been a thorny issue to many countries. In efforts to restore degraded forests, countries have resulted to establishing forest plantations. There is also need to sustain livelihoods of these populations living around forests. Kenya on its part, adopted Plantation Establishment and livelihoods Improvement scheme (PELIS) program as part of participatory Forest management (PFM). PELIS involves the planting of food crops together with tree seedlings. It is however not clear whether balance has been strike between attaining forest cover and improving community livelihoods as was the intent of the program. Consequently, this study sought to shed light on this issue by looking at the influence of forest plantation on community livelihoods. This study adopted the decentralized forest management theory. Cross-sectional research design was adopted. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed in data collection and analysis. The target population was 1719 which included forest adjacent community (FAC) members, and community based organization (CBO) leaders. From this a sample of 212 was selected. Systematic sampling was used in selecting the households and snowball sampling in selecting the CBO leaders involved in two tire focused group discussion. Questionnaire schedules were prepared to be used among household members. The findings indicated a significant influence of PELIS on community livelihood (f = 221.642, P=0.000). Those near the forest registered to have derived more economic benefits than those far away from the forest (f= 3.127, P= 0.000). A strong relationship between the frequency of attending CFA and CBO meetings, the level of involvement in decision making and planning of forest activities (B = 3.479, P< 0.05) was noted. The size of land available for cultivation was found to be statistically significant to food security among the community (f= 221.642, P= 0.000). The most important and most utilized forest products were firewood at 95%, fodder at 71% and droppers from tree pruning at 68%. Further research is needed on how more benefits from products like herbs, wild vegetables and honey cold be realized.

Enhancing Urban Connectivity and Regeneration of Historic Areas: Case Study of Heart of Sharjah

This study employs the integrative design process of sustainable urban regeneration of the historical district in Sharjah city in UAE by It also improves physical and visual connectivity and integration within the neighbourhood and among the surrounding areas to encourage walkability in the district provides a liveable community, and increase accessibility and social interaction. Applying comprehensive design strategies to promote connectivity and revitalize the public places in historical district. The study employs a combination of field studies and parametric simulation tools to investigate the district and identify opportunities for improvement. By optimizing the master plan, the research aims to enhance integration and connectivity within the neighbourhood. The study yielded several significant findings; most notable was the increment of the integration value of the optimized master plan by approximately 41% in comparison with Shurooq proposed master plan 2025, as a result of improving the urban configuration, the street network enhances the connection between the old district and the waterfront, and introducing a central plaza to be connected with Al Rola park to achieve the holistic desired approach. The study's outcomes offer practical implications for urban planners and policymakers in the Gulf Region, highlighting the importance of integrative design strategies in fostering sustainable urban regeneration and improving social interactions within historical districts. The study contributes to the promotion of sustainable urban development methods in the Gulf Region by providing insights into how to improve social interactions, promote a holistic approach to urban regeneration in historical districts, and enhance urban sustainability.

Beyond 'Slumming It'—AI and the Real Lives of Global South Communities

Beyond 'Slumming It'—AI and the Real Lives of Global South Communities

The Case against compulsory vaccination: the failed arguments from risk imposition, tax evasion, ‘social liberty’, and the priority of life

Arguments for mandatory or compulsory vaccination must justify the coercive infringement of bodily integrity via the injection of chemicals that permanently affect a body’s inner constitution. Four arguments are considered. The allegedly libertarian argument declares unvaccinated persons a threat; accordingly, vaccination could take the form of justifiable defence of self and others. This argument conflates material and statistical threats. The harsh coercive measures permissible in defence against the former are not permissible in prevention of the latter. The argument from tax evasion claims that people can be permissibly coerced into bearing their fair financial burdens of community life and likens this to sharing burdens in the face of a viral threat. The argument fails to demonstrate that vaccination would be fair, permissible in spite of potential lethal side-effects, and sufficiently similar to taxation despite the categorical difference between temporary deprivation of money and permanent deprivation of one’s original inner bodily constitution. The argument from ‘social liberty’ claims that the loss of freedom due to mandatory vaccination is only apparent, namely outweighed by corresponding gains in freedom. This argument conflates freedom as the absence of coercion with freedom as the presence of options for action. It fails to give the former its due weight and to demonstrate that persons may be coerced into increasing the options of others. The argument from the priority of life elevates the protection of life to an absolute value. This is unwarranted and leads to counterintuitive implications. Without better arguments, mandatory vaccination must be rejected.

Policy Information Communication in Shanghai’s 15-Minute Community Living Circle--Taking Jing’an District as an Example

This paper examines the communication strategies of the “15-minute community life circles” policy in Shanghai Jing’an District. The study highlights the critical role of effective information dissemination in fostering public understanding and engagement with the policy. Analyzing current communication channels, including online platforms such as WeChat and Weibo, the paper identifies key challenges such as inadequate coverage, low public awareness, and insufficient interaction between policy content and residents’ daily lives. The paper also critiques the reliance on traditional media, which may not effectively reach younger demographics. Recommendations are provided to enhance the policy’s communication, including diversifying media channels, tailoring content to specific audience segments, and integrating more interactive and relatable narratives. By improving these aspects, the policy can better achieve its goal of creating sustainable, well-connected communities that meet the needs of all residents. This study underscores the importance of adaptive and responsive communication strategies in the successful implementation of public policies.

Strategi Penguatan Moderasi Beragama Melalui Kegiatan Festival Anak Sholeh di Desa Perkebunan Tanjung Beringin

Religious moderation is the most important key in maintaining harmony and harmony in a diverse society to prevent radicalism. Religious moderation and tolerance are two different and different things. Religious moderation is a path that consists of several stages that must be passed, while tolerance is the result of the stages that have been passed before. From religious moderation, an attitude of tolerance will be formed between fellow human beings, so that harmony between religious communities will be created which will later function to strengthen the unity and unity of the Indonesia nation. Humans are required to interact to meet their needs in society. Relations between religious people are based on the principle of good brotherhood, working together to face enemies and defending those who suffer. Religious harmony is needed in establishing good relationships in community life. In this context, it is discussed that this research is an inculcation of the value of tolerance between religious communities.

Manure contribution to rural livelihoods at farm and landscape levels: a systemic approach in semi-arid Central Tunisia

ABSTRACT Manure valorization through on-farm use or market transactions is an ancient and widespread practice in the mixed crop-livestock systems of the semi-arid areas of North Africa. While research has long focused on the manure contribution to soil fertility at the plot level, little has been done concerning livelihood conditions. The present paper aims to assess the contribution of manure use and exchange on the livelihoods of rural communities using an original dataset collected in 2021 among 150 farmers in Central Tunisia. This analysis is carried out within the analytical agroecology framework combined with factor analysis methods. Results showed that manure use and valorization differ along the watershed, from a socioeconomic perspective in small farms operating under rainfed tree-pastoral systems, to an environmental and agronomic perspective in the mixed rainfed-irrigated systems downstream. Manure flow analysis confirmed that on-farm manure balance is positively correlated to economic wealth. However, the manure fluxes questioned the environmental sustainability of the vulnerable zones. Its use and management could significantly impact livelihood discrepancies in the future, with the increasing of demand and use of manure in more favorable zones such as irrigated lands at the detriment of the rainfed zones.

Navigating overtourism destinations: Leveraging smart tourism solutions for sustainable travel experience

<p>This paper explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart tourism technologies to address the multifaceted challenges of overtourism in tourist destinations. Overtourism leads to significant environmental degradation, strains local resources, and diminishes visitor satisfaction, ultimately threatening the sustainability of these destinations. Destinations can enhance sustainability and tailor travel experiences by utilizing cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and big data analytics. These technologies offer innovative solutions to optimize resource use, enhance visitor engagement, and promote responsible tourism practices. The study underscores the potential of smart tourism technologies to manage tourist flows, reduce environmental impacts, and improve the overall quality of life for local communities. Strategic planning, substantial investment, and collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and the private sector, are essential for the successful implementation of these solutions. The findings highlight the critical role of technological innovation in fostering a balanced and sustainable future for tourism, ensuring that destinations can thrive economically while preserving their cultural and natural heritage. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and tourism managers aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of overtourism through the adoption of AI and smart tourism technologies.</p>

Innovative housing models to support shared use of space: the case study of Sonnwendviertel Ost in Vienna

Amidst the persistent urban expansion in European cities, the need for high-quality housing for growing populations remains a challenge. Integrating newly developed housing areas into the urban fabric and fostering a distinct local identity pose additional challenges. Despite extensive research in this realm, there exists a gap in the examination of the extent of shared space utilization in new housing developments. This study fills that gap by analyzing the quantity, quality, and diversity of space utilization in new housing projects, focusing on the development processes and maintenance methods. The research, conducted through site and case study analyses of Sonnwendviertel Ost development area in Vienna, underscores that the shared utilization of spaces is closely tied to distinct housing models with varied levels of financing and involvement of diverse actors. Consequently, it provides insights into the housing models and their configurations that best facilitate the development of shared use of spaces in housing construction. This, in turn, is perceived as instrumental in cultivating a more robust neighborhood identity and enhancing the livability of communities, thereby contributing to sustainable urban development.

Portrait of Community Dynamic Changes Towards Globalisation Development

The dynamics of social change in society is a reality that occurs in people's lives, especially in Wakan Village, especially with the current rapid development of globalization. The development of globalization is a new challenge for all levels of society, especially those that are able to give effect to old habits to be abandoned. Globalization in people's lives has positive and negative impacts in all aspects of change. However, from the impact caused by the current development of globalization, it becomes a challenge for the community to learn about introjection caused by the development of globalization. Therefore, people must have knowledge and be wise in carrying out an era development, especially with the progress of globalization. Adopting a development of globalization wisely will be able to provide benefits for every community life, but apart from the benefits obtained in adopting the development of globalization by the community, the positive values ​​that were previously carried out are also not spared. So that people do not become ambiguous towards the customary values ​​that they used to have.

The Role of Customary Law in the Development of National Law in the Modern Era

Customary law plays an important role in the development of national law in Indonesia, especially in the modern era marked by globalization and modernization. Customary law serves as a reflection of the rich and diverse local cultural values, and plays a role in various aspects of community life, including the resolution of rescue, management of natural resources, and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. In the era of decentralization and regional autonomy, customary law is increasingly recognized in local policies and becomes an important instrument in maintaining the unique legal identity of each region. Formal recognition of customary law is also reflected in various national regulations, such as the Law on Villages and the Basic Agrarian Law, which accommodate customary law in facing the challenges of modernization and globalization, customary law must adapt to the modern era

Contemporary Development Discourse in Northeast India and its Impact on the Tribal Communities

Northeast India, a region characterised by great geo-political and ecological significance, is geographically divided into the plains and the hills and is home to many tribal communities that largely depend on natural resource-based livelihoods. While shifting cultivation (jhum) has been a dominant traditional system of land use among tribes both in the hills and the plains, most of them in the plains abandoned this practice on account of colonial-era encroachment. In the hills, however, shifting cultivation still plays a critical role in maintaining agricultural biodiversity and providing food security to the indigenous communities. The advent of colonial development in the region in the 19th century left a long-term impact on its natural and social landscapes. After independence, especially after the early 1960s, the hills that remained largely excluded from the process of colonial development were also brought under the development agenda of the Indian state. However, in recent times, under the neoliberal Indian state, the development discourse in the region has witnessed an unprecedentedly aggressive character seriously undermining the traditional ecology, land ownership system, livelihood and culture of the tribal communities.

Ethnodevelopment and post-conflict: new challenges for the social construction of habitat with territorial justice in the Afro-Colombian Caribbean

ABSTRACT In Colombia, the ethnic and rural communities’ defense of their territories poses a complex and urgent challenge, even after the protracted peace process that culminated in the 2016 havana accords. With the uncertainties of the current post-conflict scenario, regulations and framework initiatives have generated an important debate that affects community life. The complexity of the Caribbean region involves historical, ethnic claims in the Montes de María, a place of permanent social struggle, where armed conflict has provoked intense forced displacement. This research encompasses the collective processes of territorial affirmation in this region. It investigates the scope, impact, and development of life plans by the Afro-Colombian community councils, as effective governance mechanisms that allow communities to remain in their territory with dignity. The author asserts that life plans based on Participatory Action Research (PAR) are an alternative to the development plans proposed by the government, as they suggest territorial affirmation from an ethnic differential approach and enable social renewal. This case study proposes a methodology to support communities in developing life plans, a process that can be replicated in similar contexts.

Towards more inclusive understandings of creativity

Creativity research could advantageously turn away from the notion that being creative is solely connected to novelty, youth, and renewal, and that the ability to be creative declines with age. On the contrary, it seems that people can find great value in being active, participating in the community, and creating—in the vegetable garden, with knitting, or together with others in choirs and community life. This commentary on Adams-Price and Morse “Creativity, aging, context and culture: Reimagining creativity in everyday life in older adults” invites the authors to go even further in their theoretical exploration of models of creativity adding an even stronger lifespan perspective on creativity.

Family farm and family business: Distinction and transition between concepts

Objective: Explore the conceptual limits between the family farming unit and the agricultural family business to identify the elements that determine the transition from one figure to another. Methodology: The distinctive elements between both concepts were determined from the most relevant definitions reported in the literature. Subsequently, the transition from a family farming unit to an agricultural family business was illustrated based on the case study of an enterprise dedicated to the production and collection of barley in Hidalgo, Mexico. Results: Seven distinctive elements were identified between the family farming unit and the agricultural family business. Two elements (the scale of production and productive diversification) drive the transition, three are modified consequently (the source of labor, the priority destination of productive activity, and the strength of the link with agricultural land), and the remaining two are carried out infrequently (assignment of a non-family member as main head and disengagement of family members from community life). Limitations: The findings of the study lack statistical representativeness as they come from a case study. Conclusions: The seven distinctive elements between a family farming unit and an agricultural family business can be used to study the phenomenon of entrepreneurship around agriculture and to typify agricultural units to design differentiated strategies for political intervention.

Financial Inclusion and Rural Development: Empowering Micro-entrepreneurs in Lubuk Beringin, Bungo Regency, Jambi, Indonesia

Micro-entrepreneurs in rural Indonesia often face challenges in accessing financial services and developing sustainable business practices. This community service initiative aimed to empower micro-entrepreneurs in Lubuk Beringin, Bungo Regency, Jambi, Indonesia, by promoting financial inclusion and rural development. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating surveys, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews to assess the needs and challenges of micro-entrepreneurs. Based on the findings, a comprehensive program was designed and implemented, encompassing financial literacy training, business development workshops, and access to microcredit facilities. The program resulted in increased financial literacy, improved business skills, and enhanced access to financial resources among the participants. Data indicates a 20% increase in average monthly income and a 15% rise in business savings among participating micro-entrepreneurs six months after program completion. Additionally, the program fostered a sense of community and collaboration among the participants. This initiative demonstrates the vital role of public administration in empowering micro-entrepreneurs through financial inclusion and rural development strategies. By providing access to financial knowledge, skills, and resources, public administration can contribute to sustainable economic growth and improved livelihoods in rural communities.

El ecumenismo receptivo: una propuesta para Colombia

The article presents receptive ecumenism as an innovative approach to dialogue between the different Christian denominations in the country. Inspired by the encyclical Ut Unum Sint and the ideas of Cardinal Kasper, this approach promotes humility and critical self-analysis, encouraging churches to recognize their limitations and learn from each other. Receptive ecumenism seeks to move towards unity through diversity, without forcing time or aspiring to immediate unification. Instead of asking what other churches can learn from a specific tradition, the proposal suggests asking what churches can receive from other denominations, thus fostering mutual enrichment and ecumenical collaboration in the daily life of church communities.

“You can't ignore us”: Multiliteracies and disruption in youth activism

AbstractThis article examines the activism of student protesters in a rural Rust Belt community's Black Lives Matter protest, challenging prevailing stereotypes about civic engagement, literacies, and youth involvement in rural settings. Utilizing critical ethnography and nexus analysis to examine disruptions of discourses in place and interview student participants about their activism, findings showcase how students strategically practiced multiliteracies to upturn power dynamics and assume leadership roles within a socio‐spatial landscape. Examining youth protest literacies can inform education partners of the ways students already engage in civic discourse and how understanding their co‐construction of space can inform practices across learning communities.

The Influence of Participatory Forest Monitoring on Natural Forest Management and Community Welfare: A Case Study in Kibale National Park, Western Uganda

The paper presents findings from a Study on Participatory Forest Monitoring (PFM) and Natural Forest Restoration (NFR) in Uganda, a case of communities bordering Kibale National Park (KNP), western Uganda. The study involved 394 respondents who were interviewed from June to August 2024. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design to determine the perceived effect of Participatory Forest Monitoring Activities at the household level and examine the relationship between Participatory Forest Monitoring Activities and Natural Forest Restoration while involving communities bordering Kibale Forest. Almost half (54.4%) of the communities bordering Kibale National Park (KNP) work with UWA rangers during forest monitoring patrols in restored areas (M=2.25, SD = 1.95). Participation in PFM improved income at the household level directly addressing household needs especially income for school fees and other needs by 79.9% (r=0.799, P<0.05). PFM can restore natural forests, increase revenue and better community livelihoods.

Sustainable Water Management with Photocatalytic Janus Mesh: Efficient Fog Harvesting, Water Purification, and Microbial Disinfection.

Water scarcity is a critical global challenge, especially in arid and semiarid regions. Fog harvesting has emerged as a promising solution; however, concerns about air pollution and bacterial growth in humid environments have raised doubts about the safety and sustainability of such systems. This study introduces a Janus mesh with asymmetric wettability on its two faces, fabricated through a simple and scalable method. The unique design of the Janus mesh enables the transport of water droplets from the superhydrophobic side to the hydrophilic side in a unidirectional manner, enhancing its fog harvesting efficiency. The mesh's photocatalytic properties not only elevate the fog harvesting rate to 4.7 kg·m-2h-1 but also effectively purify the harvested water by removing organic contaminants (94%) and microbial impurities (99.98%). Additionally, its inherent bactericidal activity prevents biofouling, ensuring sustained efficiency in water collection. The mesh's self-cleaning abilities through photocatalysis maintain its surface integrity, promising long-term stability for fog harvesting applications. This technological advancement in fog harvesting offers a sustainable and economical solution to water scarcity concerns, addressing safety and sustainability issues associated with existing systems. By potentially transforming the livelihoods of communities struggling with water scarcity, this innovation paves the way for a more sustainable future.