Street Life Research Articles

Modern contraceptive utilization among street beggar women in the Sidama region of Ethiopia using bayesian model approach

IntroductionContraceptive methods are techniques used to prevent pregnancy during sexual intercourse. The primary goal of contraception is to inhibit the fertilization of an egg by sperm or to prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. Unwanted pregnancy is a major challenge for street beggar women. Due to limited use of modern contraception, unwanted pregnancy and STDs are key issues faced by this population. This study aims to assess modern contraceptive utilization and explore factors influencing contraceptive choices among street beggar women in the Sidama region, Ethiopia by using Bayesian logistic approaches.MethodsA cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted on reproductive-aged (15–49) street beggar women in the Sidama Region. Data was collected using a pre-tested, structured interview questionnaire in the local language from each town in the Sidama region. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data using STATA version 17. A Bayesian logistic approach, with Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, was used to model the association between modern contraceptive utilization and independent variables, allowing for estimation of model parameters and credible intervals.ResultThe study found that 38.9% of street women in the Sidama region used modern contraceptives, primarily implants and injections. Bayesian logistic regression identified key factors influencing contraceptive use including, women aged 25–34 (AOR: 2.69 (95% CI: 1.57, 4.26)), married women (AOR: 4.91 (95% CI: 2.67, 8.51)), Widowed women (AOR: 2.81 (95% CI: 1.49)) and educated women (AOR: 2.16 (95% CI: 1.48, 3.01)) were more likely to use contraceptives. In contrast, those living on the street (AOR: 0.12 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.27)), with no history of pregnancy (AOR: 0.07 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.16)), and no sexual activity in the last six months (AOR: 0.11 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.03)), had lower usage rates. Additionally, women whose only job was begging (AOR: 0.43 (95% CI: 0.13, 0.92)) and those lacking health advice (AOR: 0.25 (95% CI: 0.07, 0.59)) also showed reduced utilization. Lack of discussion about contraceptives with partners (AOR: 0.18 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.33)) and no women's approval (AOR: 0.18 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.33)) further contributed to lower usage. Conversely, good knowledge of modern contraceptives was positively associated with utilization (AOR: 2.33 (95% CI: 1.44, 3.64)).ConclusionThe findings of this study identified several factors significantly associated with modern contraceptive use among street beggar women in the Sidama region, including age, marital status, Education level, disability, Job in addition to begging, Current living situation, history of sexual assault/rape, History of pregnancy after street life, discussion of modern contraception with a sexual partner, Advice from a health professional, Sexual activity in the last six months, time taken to arrive at a health facility on foot, approval of modern contraception, and knowledge. The main barriers reported were fear of side effects and lack of knowledge about contraceptive methods. The study suggests that concerned stakeholders should intervene to address these factors and improve modern contraceptive uptake in this vulnerable population.

Addressing the urban congestion challenge based on traffic bottlenecks.

Historically, urban congestion and street life quality depended on city network hierarchies, shaped by land use and street layout. Yet navigation apps have shifted focus to travel time as the key route selection factor, challenging traditional urban structures. We review the development of an innovative approach to urban traffic management that leverages real-time data for the identification and analysis of traffic bottlenecks. This approach, combined with urban planning, aims to improve traffic flow and tackle modern urban challenges. It includes real-time bottleneck detection and cost, congestion analysis and designing a decentralized traffic management system that can serve planners. Based on complex system principles, it promises dynamic traffic optimization, merging urban planning with digital advancements. The research demonstrates the potential of different applications of the proposed methodologies to predict significant congestion from early bottleneck formation, offering urban planners a powerful toolset for reasserting their role in shaping the urban experience. This article posits that a nuanced understanding of traffic dynamics, coupled with advanced traffic management technologies, can restore the influence of urban planning in the digital era, fostering more liveable, equitable and efficient urban environments. This article is part of the theme issue 'Co-creating the future: participatory cities and digital governance'.

Understanding Experiences of Street Addiction Among People Experiencing Homelessness: A Qualitative Research Study

ABSTRACT Homelessness is a global concern and there is no sufficient information on the question of why some people repeatedly return to living and hanging out on the street even after rehabilitation attempts and giving them a place to stay and live. The main goal of the present study was to understand the draw of street life experiences of people experiencing homelessness through the framework of street addiction. The analytic framework of “street addiction,” developed in a previous study, parallels the criteria of behavioral addiction in DSM-5. Using an abductive-phenomenological strategy, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 people with chronic patterns of homelessness who had a background in substance use and with 3 support workers who worked with them. All the participants described experiences of severe street addiction and attraction to life on the streets. Their experiences matched the criteria of behavioral addiction and the theoretical model of street addiction. We recommend gaining an in-depth understanding of street addiction by conducting further studies to develop therapeutic, rehabilitative, and harm reduction responses to people experiencing homelessness.

Top five honeymoon destinations for international travelers in Thailand

Thailand has been one of the most coveted honeymoon spots for newlywed couples from around the world for quite some time now. Be it its magnificent landscapes, enchanting culture, or warm hospitality-this Southeast Asian beauty never misses a chance to enthrall international travelers. The following represents an in-depth study in which we reveal the cream of honeymoon spots in Thailand, giving the reader an in-depth look at our top five picks bound to create lifelong memories. First on our list is the picturesque island of Phuket, really a tropical paradise found. With its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and luxurious resorts, this destination merely sets the stage for a dream-like honeymoon experience. From snorkeling off its colorful coral reefs to going on a romantic sunset cruise, to simply relaxing with a rejuvenating beach couples' massage, couples can truly do almost anything in paradise. With great nightlife and excellent food to boot, Phuket is little short of a dream destination. Second on the list is the very beautiful Island of Koh Samui, boasting its ideal beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Here, honeymooners can have the ultimate fun in secluded beaches, high-class luxury resorts, and a harmonious balance of unspoiled nature and modern-day comfort. From walking hand in hand over the velvet softness of the sand to jet-skiing across wild waves, from a lazy afternoon nap on the hot sandy beach to dinner by candlelight under star-studded skies, Koh Samui is a place of idyllic romance that cossets couples as they celebrate their love. The far inland from any coastline, Chiang Mai offers the honeymooner a more culturally enriched experience. Tucked away among mist-shrouded mountains and lush landscapes, this northern city is bursting with history, spirituality, and natural beauty in one. They can walk around ancient temples, join traditional Thai cooking classes, or have once-in-a-lifetime elephant treks, or simply sit in a retreat in a traditional Thai spa. The city of Chiang Mai is considered a dreamland for couples seeking cultural immersion and serenity on their honeymoon. Krabi is another must-see destination for honeymooners traveling in Thailand, boasting awe-inspiring karst formations, turquoise waters, and thick mangroves. This paradisiacal coastline acts as an idyllic backdrop for romance and adventure. A couple can go on an island-hopping tour mesmerizing or trek into emerald jungles to discover hidden waterfalls deep inside, or they can simply go on a rock-climbing spree. With Krabi Natural Wonders and breathtaking vistas, it stands out as an ideal destination for couples who are looking for a well-balanced dose of relaxation and exploration. Finally, there is the city of Bangkok-a metropolis bustling with life that effortlessly melts modernity with tradition. This pulsating capital is sure to mesmerize newlywed couples with skyscrapers touching the sky, ornate temples, chaotic markets, and pulsating street life. From eating from street food vendors down to an immersive nightlife, experiences in Bangkok are simply unending. They would be able to cruise along the magnificent Chao Phraya River, get lost in the majesty of the Grand Palace, or even just take a romantic evening stroll through the charming old town. In fact, from the careful research and analysis we had conducted, Thailand turns out to be an enchanting honeymoon paradise that no couple can resist, for its perfect setting combines relaxation, recreation, and exploration. Be it the serenity of pristine beaches, an immersion in ancient cities, or the vibrant hum of a metropolis, these are the top honeymoon destinations in Thailand that create an unforgettable experience that will be etched into the hearts of couples as they begin their journey of love.

Utilization of modern contraceptives and associated factors among women of homeless reproductive age in Adama town, Oromia, Ethiopia

BackgroundFamily planning refers to a conscious effort by a couple to limit or space the number of children they have through the use of contraceptive methods. Contraceptive utilization is a practice that helps individuals or couples avoid unwanted pregnancy. A lack of family planning puts homeless individuals at a higher risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. However, there is little data about modern contraceptive utilization among homeless women in the study area.ObjectivesIt has aimed to assess the utilization of modern contraceptives and associated factors among homeless reproductive-age women in Adama town, 2023.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Adama town among 286 homeless women. A convenience sampling technique was used. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested structured questionnaire. The collected data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi Info, and the data were exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study population. The associations between dependent and independent variables were modeled using binary logistic regression. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate associations, and a P value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.ResultsOut of the planned 289 respondents, 286 (98.9%) were participated. The prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization was 56.6% [95% CI: (50.7, 62.2)]. Among the utilizers, implants (52.5%), injectables (42%), and pills (5.5%) were used. Homeless women aged 25–34 years [AOR = 4.22, 95% CI: (1.77, 10.05)], a formal education [AOR = 3.04, 95% CI: (1.21, 7.60)], a slept off-street [AOR = 2.81, 95% CI: (1.25, 6.34)], a monthly income greater than or equal to 2400 Ethiopian birr [AOR = 4.18, 95% CI: (2.11, 8.29)], a sexual intercourse AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: (1.17, 8.40)], and a history of pregnancy after joining the street life [AOR = 9.21, 95% CI: (3.67, 23.12)] were factors significantly associated with the utilization of modern contraceptives.ConclusionThe prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization among homeless women was relatively higher than in previous studies. The associated factors for contraceptive utilization included age, education, place for sleeping, income, sexual intercourse and history of pregnancy after joining the street life. The Regional and Adama town Health Bureau and facilities should develop targeted interventions (considering age, educational, and other disparities) to reduce the unmet need for modern contraception and halt unnecessary health outcomes among homeless women, their children, and families.

Contextualizing Attitudes About Violence from the Vantage Point of Street-Identified Black Male Youth: The Role of the Perceived Neighborhood and Bypassing Adolescence in the Development of Black Masculinity

Using Street Participatory Action Research (Street PAR), we examined the role of subjective neighborhood quality in bypassing adolescence (through adultification) and pro-violence attitudes among Black male youth. One hundred and thirty-seven street-identified, Black adolescent males (M/SD age = 18.07/1.66) were recruited using snowball sampling through social networks of individuals who identified as “street” or engaged in illegal activity. Respondents reported on neighborhood quality, bypassing adolescence, and pro-violence attitudes. Results showed that poorer perceived neighborhood quality correlated positively with bypassing adolescence and pro-violence attitudes. Bypassing adolescence mediated the association between neighborhood quality and pro-violence attitudes. Thus, street-identified Black boys who had more negative perceptions of their neighborhoods endorsed more positive attitudes toward violence and greater bypassing adolescence, or perceived adultification through street life. This novel finding contextualizes the development of violence attitudes in this understudied population and may suggest that bypassing adolescence is an important site of resilience within a street-identified Black masculinity framework.

Suburban camouflage in urban neighbourhoods: new building typologies and their impact on social life of residential streets

ABSTRACT Centre-city neighbourhoods is where residents expect a diversity of residents and an active social life, along with numerous amenities. This study investigates the relationship between the transforming morphology of Over-the-Rhine – a historic centre-city neighbourhood in Cincinnati, Ohio – and its urban social life. Detailed observations and morphological analyses of four new residential projects reveal that typologies that on the face appear urban, in fact promote a suburban lifestyle that prioritizes independence and seclusion and focus on private domestic life, in an urban context. We conclude with a set of strategies to increase the interaction between the private and the public realm.

Planners as Gatekeepers: Spatial Justice Through the lens of Planning Theory in Helsinki

Abstract Planning practice is a device of controlling land use and ideally corresponds to societal demands. It can contribute to spatial justice through its two roles, substantive and procedural. Planning theory, on the other hand, studies both roles of planning practice focusing on the interplay of power. Helsinki witnesses a rapid and dynamic urban growth with the Finnish capital city plan adopting bold ideas aiming to create pedestrian friendly urban centers further from the inner city. Among other objectives, the city plan employs anti-segregation policy in certain areas. Ethnic retail has been emerging in Helsinki at several locations not only fulfilling socio-economic needs of immigrants but also enhancing public street life and creating urban hubs. In particular, ethnic retail is clustered at two strip malls located in two neighborhoods under urban renewal. Two competitions were organized to guide the land-use based on the objectives of the city plan. This article studies how urban planning policy and planners have steered the urban renewal outcome. The findings show that the planners can serve as gatekeepers allowing specific outcomes in favor of certain actors. The article contributes to literature analyzing planning practice through the theory lens.

The influence of two and three-dimensional spatial characteristics of industrial parks on the emotional well-being of employees: A case study of Shenzhen

Enhancing the emotions of the workers within industrial parks is crucial for achieving the sustainable development goal (SDG). However, evidence on the impact of industrial park environmental layouts on emotions is limited due to the low attention on the workers in the industrial park. Based on a framework of two-dimensional (2D) industrial park morphology indicators and three-dimensional (3D) spatial objective perception, this study aims to compare and analyze the effect of environmental characteristics in Shenzhen's industrial parks on workers' emotions by using emotional geography and social media data. The potential mechanism that environmental characteristic variables influence the positive emotion index (PEI) is also explored. Using the natural language processing (NLP) to analyze the Weibo check-in data, the study captures the daily emotions of workers in industrial parks. By adopting the linear and spatial regression models, this research reveals the complex relationship between the environmental layout of the total 425 industrial parks in Shenzhen city and the corresponding emotions of the workers. The conclusions are as follows: (1) There is a significant correlation between the environmental layout of the industrial parks and the emotions of the workers, with the correlation among 3D variables being higher than that among 2D variables considering spatial effects. (2) There is a certain degree of coordination and contradiction between the morphological indicators of the industrial parks and the spatial objective perception variables, necessitating the planners to consider both macro-scale and micro-perception environmental characteristics to enhance the workers' emotions. (3) In addition to higher accessibility and more public transportation options, the safer, wider, relatively more open streets, more perceivable green spaces, and richer street life can promote the positive emotions among the workers. On the contrary, the enclosed environments, the dense and overwhelming buildings, and the excessive road density may lead to negative emotions. This study contributes to establish the environmental layouts for the industrial parks that foster positive worker emotions and offer insights for the sustainable development of the industrial parks.

Social connection interventions and depression in young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Early adulthood is a period which may increase vulnerability to loneliness and mental health difficulties among young adults. Social networks play an important role in buffering against adverse mental health, but there is a lack of evidence around whether social connection interventions could play a role in preventing mental health difficulties for young adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023395595). PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scopus were searched (01 January 2000-01 January 2023). Studies were eligible if they (i) were quantitative, (ii) included young adults (18-24 years) from the general population, (iii) tested a social intervention which aimed to increase the quantity or quality of social connections or reduce loneliness, (iv) had a comparison group, and (v) measured depression and loneliness/social connection as outcomes. Following study screening and selection, the data extraction and risk of bias assessments were independently conducted in duplicate. The Cochrane RoB-2 tool and ROBINS-I tool were used to assess risk of bias. Results were narratively synthesised and random effects meta-analysis with standardised mean differences was conducted. Six studies were included; four in-person interventions with higher education students, one online intervention with higher education students, and one intervention for youth involved in street life. The studies were mostly rated as having some or moderate concerns with risk of bias. The interventions were associated with an overall mean reduction in depression for young adults (SMD = -0.19; 95% CI, -0.33 to -0.05; p = 0.008; 4 studies, excluding studies with serious risk of bias). All interventions had beneficial effects on a range of diverse social connection outcomes, but there was no overall statistically significant mean reduction in loneliness for young adults in pooled analyses (SMD = -0.10; 95% CI, -0.24 to 0.05; p = 0.188; 3 studies). Social connection interventions show some promise in improving depression and social connection outcomes in young adults but more high-quality research, across diverse settings, is needed in this area.

IMAGES OF ARISTOCRATES AND COMMON PEOPLE IN THE TRAGEDIES OF BENJAMIN JOHNSON

The article describes the interpersonal relationships of various states of society of the «post-Shakespearean» era in the artistic work of the outstanding English playwright and actor Benjamin Johnson. Relying on sources and scientific literature, the author of the article tries to recreate the layer of everyday life in London at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, to reveal the problem of the «survival» of actors in the first stationary theater «Globus», their attempts to communicate with aristocrats, the attitude towards famous actors and directors in the English late Middle Ages society The central problem of the research is also the relationship between V. Shaksrip and A. Ferabosko, whose acting troupes shared the «stage» of the «Globus» theater. All these questions are most vividly revealed in Benjamin Johnson’s tragedy «Thrice Crossing the Thames», which was published after his death at the author’s request. The image of English society revealed through the thoughts and worldview of his contemporary is simply amazing. In the author’s opinion, it is also valuable that Benjamin Johnson personally knew V. Shakespeare and A. Ferabosko, the unforgettable young actress Catherine Loster. Research methodology. The content-comparative method, the method of modification of concepts and terms, generalizing and problem-searching methods to reproduce the realities of the era were used to write the article. Conclusion. we see that the place of man and the concept of «humanity» in the English dramaturgy of the «post-Shakespearean» era have changed significantly. In English art, more and more realistic «notes» are felt. Instead of “elevated” and “low” on the pages of books, «street life», «urban slums», relations between new states of society, new social morality come to the English stage. In order to fully feel the depth of these changes, it is worth discovering the realistic human images reproduced by contemporaries of the «post-Neckspearian» era, understanding the criteria of their morality and humanity from the point of view of the author of the dramatic work, who wrote at the crossroads of two great eras.

Playing the ‘pibe chorro’ game: masculine skills and legitimate peripheral participation in street culture

ABSTRACT In this article, I analyse the street learning that a group of boys in a poor neighbourhood in Argentina produce when they play at being ‘pibes chorros’. Through the observation of interviews, photos and audio recordings made in the neighbourhood since 2010, I show how these games are occasions for boys to learn to pretend they know how to steal and to recreate a masculine image of toughness in order to cope with both street life and local working life. In this way, street culture, which in other studies is often seen as a constraint on available educational opportunities, in this article is a central place for learning by legitimate peripheral participation to occur (Lave and Wenger [1991]. Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). The masculine acquisitions and skills of street play allow these boys greater preparation and participation social for life in highly formal spaces such as oil, the police and the local state.

Assessing the Degree of Publicness in Streets

Streets have always been a vital source of public life in Indian cities. The advent of virtual technologies and changingurban realities, have impacted its publicness and activation. Additionally, increasing degree of publicness in privatelyowned public spaces poses significant reduction in street life. Hence, it is important to assess the street qualities whichcontribute to public life. The physical, non-physical and metaphysical qualities of street assessments will bring out theessential qualities of streets that contribute to public life in contemporary streets. This paper enquires socio-culturaland sensory aspects of street life. It would assess parameters that contribute or contradict the degree of publicness.The study would discuss and build assessments from Vikas Mehta, William H. Whyte, Henry Lefebvre and Jan Gehl’stheories and perspectives. This research would build a critical enquiry about temporality and everyday urbanism andcontribute to the discussions on placemaking and tactical urbanism strategies.

The worry of the next meal: Food insecurity experiences of street-connected children in Ethiopia

Food insecurity is a growing global concern, with millions of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition every day. Street-connected children are disproportionately vulnerable to food insecurity due to their living conditions and social status. However, little is known about their food insecurity experience, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study, therefore, aims to address this gap by examining the food insecurity experiences of street-connected children in Jimma, Ethiopia. This qualitative study was conducted from July to September 2021, and involved children living on the streets in various parts of Jimma city. In this study, we utilized interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations to investigate food acquisition strategies, hunger experiences, coping mechanisms, and challenges in food access among these children. Our findings indicate that street-connected children struggle to secure adequate, safe, and stable food, encountering pervasive hunger. Their limited resources and income exacerbate their dietary challenges. Their lack of food access not only represents a major challenge in their day-to-day lives but is also central to the various vulnerabilities and adversities they face. Moreover, their persistent hunger complicates their ability to improve their living conditions and exit from the street life. In conclusion, the study underscores the urgent need for focused attention on alleviating food insecurity among street-connected children, particularly in low-income countries.

Sustainable Development Methods of Urban Slow-traffic System Based on Human Factors Engineering

At present, China's urban transportation is in a period of development and transformation, and there are heated discussions about transportation sustainability. With China's new urban planning strategy and the future development trend of roads, the construction and development of the slow-traffic system have become a new direction of exploration. Through the analysis of human psychology and physiology, this article further explores the sustainable development of slow-traffic systems without sacrificing human welfare. Through the impact on the psychological safety of users based on distance in the street space, and through the three physiological stimulations of color and light on vision, noise on hearing, and ground materials on touch, it strengthens the sense of security for users in road space. Controllability and increased frequency of use. Integrate slow traffic into existing urban arterial roads and public transportation in more possible ways, reactivating street vitality and enriching street life. While achieving the "double carbon" goal, urban roads should be constructed meticulously to improve the quality of life of residents. Nowadays, there are many studies on the use of new technologies for road management, but few on road planning methods that focus on people themselves. After research and discussion, this article can fill the gaps in related research and contribute to the sustainable development of the slow-traffic system.

Sustainable Development Methods of Urban Slow-traffic System Based on Human Factors Engineering

At present, China's urban transportation is in a period of development and transformation, and there are heated discussions about transportation sustainability. With China's new urban planning strategy and the future development trend of roads, the construction and development of the slow-traffic system have become a new direction of exploration. Through the analysis of human psychology and physiology, this article further explores the sustainable development of slow-traffic systems without sacrificing human welfare. Through the impact on the psychological safety of users based on distance in the street space, and through the three physiological stimulations of color and light on vision, noise on hearing, and ground materials on touch, it strengthens the sense of security for users in road space. Controllability and increased frequency of use. Integrate slow traffic into existing urban arterial roads and public transportation in more possible ways, reactivating street vitality and enriching street life. While achieving the "double carbon" goal, urban roads should be constructed meticulously to improve the quality of life of residents. Nowadays, there are many studies on the use of new technologies for road management, but few on road planning methods that focus on people themselves. After research and discussion, this article can fill the gaps in related research and contribute to the sustainable development of the slow-traffic system.

Growing up on the Street: Barriers to Educational Services Among Street Children in Malaysia

Educational services are part of the child welfare system and part of social services that are required for street-connected children to enhance their well-being. Negative street life and homelessness influence street-connected children to access educational services. This paper discusses the barriers to educational services encountered by street-connected children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Understanding barriers to educational services is crucial to inform policymakers, child welfare providers, and the government to formulate relatable educational services for street-connected children. The researcher employed a quantitative research design to conduct the study. A total of 303 took part in this study. The influence factors of barriers to educational services were determined using multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that undocumented issues, poverty issues, personality issues, involvement in antisocial behavior, behavior in school, and school social environment are among the barriers to educational services faced by street-connected children in Kuala Lumpur. Inputs provided in this study can be instrumental in improving the child welfare system related to educational needs and addressing the psycho-educational needs of street-connected children. Implementing and recommendations proposed in this study can make a positive impact to improve the overall well-being of street-connected children.

Streets in Suburbia as Spheres of Comfort

How to manage the “self” on the streets of suburbia when everybody knows each other? Due to the social and spatial manageability of suburban spaces, contact with more or less (un)known others is to be expected. Through repeated and continuous contact, residents are automatically and reciprocally assigned the role of acquaintances. This situation requires finding the right distance. The positioning of oneself and others, the perception and practice of distance, results in comfort and freedom from conflict. This coping strategy for public (street)spaces reflects a socio-spatial (con)figuration that is enacted as street management. Although street life is dominated by the notion of nothingness, everyone campaigns to stay private in public by setting up a “public self”. The research findings I refer to are based on two case studies in suburban spaces on the outskirts of Hanover (the state capital of Lower Saxony, Germany). In order to understand and explain the life-worlds of suburbanites in general and their manifestation on streets in particular, I conducted exploratory interviews, go-alongs and field observations. To create an atmosphere of comfort, convivial as well as conflictual situations are to be avoided, which is achieved by the residents positioning themselves and others at a distance. Since street life in the suburbs is uneventful and provides a sense of security and familiarity, living together in coexistence is routine. The delegation of responsibility for everything public enables suburbanites to be indifferent to others and the setting. The minimal sympathetic way of interacting with each other is symbolised by greetings, which both facilitates and hinders communication. In the end, the life-world suburbia and its streets are spheres of comfort because they are manageable, expectable and knowable.

Street ballet in the context of population contraction: A case study of Dongda Street in Rugao City

Most existing studies on shrinking cities focus on identifying and characterizing population contraction at the city scale and lack an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms of population contraction and daily life scenarios at the street scale. To fill this gap, this study employed semi-structured interviews and participant observation to analyze the street vitality and mechanisms of operation of Dongda Street in Rugao County of Jiangsu Province in China. The study found the following. First, the interspersed urban renewal has allowed residents to retain their original lifestyles and time-space routines, and they continue to enact an endogenous street ballet. Second, new residents gradually develop new lifestyles and time-space routines in the streets, showcasing an exogenous street ballet. Third, both groups jointly perform hybrid street ballets in their daily lives through close public interactions. These findings suggest that while Dongda Street is an aging neighborhood, the survival of the original street pattern and old buildings has allowed the neighborhood to retain its historical flavor. Additionally, the moving in of creative industries and merchants injects new vitality into the neighborhood. These findings examine daily street life in the context of population contraction and help break the stereotypes of population contraction.

Children in Street Situations, Their Determinants, Survival and Strategies. Case of the City of Bujumbura

The aim of this article is to establish the link between the determinants of street life and the violence experienced by children and their survival in the city of Bujumbura. To gather the experiences of our interviewees, we used a life history with semi-structured interviews, and direct and indirect observation. To identify emerging themes, we carried out a thematic analysis of the interview content. Analysis of the empirical corpus of 43 street children reveals nine determinants at the root of the street child phenomenon, grouped into two categories, namely environmental and personal and interpersonal determinants centered on parent-child relationships. There are also determinants linked to educational styles that interact with the child's behavior. The stepmother is often perceived by children and their in-laws as a "ferocious animal’’, even in the absence of a negative upbringing. When family life fails, the street becomes an alternative. Exposed to all forms of violence, child victims become violent, and the cycle of violence is fueled. Stories of life on the streets show that every child has his/ her problems. Previous results show that the determinants of street life are multifactorial and have causal links that are part of a cyclical context of violence. Our results go further, proving that in addition to environmental determinants, there are also personal and interpersonal ones. Combating this phenomenon requires preventive action at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels: preventing the development of the problem, intervening early and, finally, treating the consequences and reintegrating the children.