Understanding Cities and Regions

Understanding Cities and Regions Understanding cities and regions is a significantly complicate and confusing task. This process enables individuals and government agencies to effectively plan for resource distribution and management of regions.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Understanding Cities and Regions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A city refers to an entity that occupies space or an element in a network of urban centres. On the other hand, a region entails an intermediary entity that occupies a position in the continuum of a country and a city (Frey 2007, p. 112). In this regard, the distinction of the two entities involves the analysis of spatial and temporal comparisons, structural change, design and the implementation of policies. Sometimes, disagreements arise regarding when the categorising of a city as a region and vice versa. Similarly, cities and regions share multiple traits. These include their representation of an open system w ith respect to trade, factor mobility, and government transfers (Short 1996, p. 424). Nevertheless, a detail analysis of the two economic entities will depict the fundamental difference that supersedes the mere analysis concerning the dimensions of the area or population. From the inception of the concept of urbanisation, several elements of an urban area have been considered in evaluating the components of a city. Classically, cities were considered urban areas that exhibited economical, social, and political influences on people. In this regard, various theories attempt to explain the origin and development of urban areas.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The theories that have clearly elicited how urban areas originated in the past include hydraulic, economic, military, and religious theories (Parr 2008, p. 3012). All these theories identify the need of populationsâ €™ confederation. The theories have similar primary characteristics concerning size, specialisation of labour, class-structured society and state organisation. Notably, the population, environment, technology, and social organisation influenced the emergence of urban areas. Overtime, the rating of the urban areas with the focus on industrial production underwent considerable transformations. At the same time, industrial capitalism input a crucial element in the industrial cities’ definition. During this transition period, the urban areas were segregated to accommodate the needs of all individuals as per their classes. Quartering such as luxury areas, gentrified city, suburban, tenement, and abandon cities existed. All these quarters catered for the needs of the mighty and the poor in the society. After the industrial period, the urban areas transformed to the postmodern cities. In this regard, the adoption of restructuring in the economic, social, and political segments w as necessary. The restructuring of the economic base in the urban areas involved a fundamental change in the organisation and technology of the industrial production.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Understanding Cities and Regions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consequently, it led to the formation of a global system of world cities through the spatial division of labour and specialisation (Clapp 1971, p. 128). Similarly, a change in social structure was witness because of the social fragmentation created by the wide gap between the rich and the poor. Nevertheless, there was an increase in the radical restructuring of the urban forms like megacity, metroplex, technoburb, technopolis, and exopolis to accommodate the change in the urban imagery. Historically, the imagery of the cities influenced the urban areas’ rating. In this regard, myths and ideologies were developed to describe the exact nature of urban areas (Hufschmidt 1969, p.88). The common anti-urban myths included unnatural, anonymous, sin, or treat cities. The pro-urban views included the civilized, soft, free, or radical cities. Progressively, urban ideologies emerged which help to characterise the nature of a city as a wannabee world, clean and green or ‘look! No more factories’ city. At that time, cities were categorised with regard to the cost of living, employment and crime rates, arts and climate. Evidently, multiple means of evaluating cities have been formulated. Additionally, presently, competition is no longer regional or national, but globally. Therefore, In this regard, it is crucial for any city to identify its market niche and create a favourable image. Apparently, the region definition has been the main area of interest in distinguishing between regions and cities. Analytically, regions cut across the various approaches of interest like economics, geography, planning, politics, and sociology. Thu s, regions focus on the economic, social, political, cultural, and ecological changes (Pike 2007, p. 1145). Evidently, regions exhibit contemporary controversies about space, place, and scale.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As a result, researchers have embarked on studies to establish the standards of analysis and evidence of regions. Notably, most researchers agree that regions should be categorised depending on the data specification, collection, and analysis in more open, unbound, and discontinuous spatial units other than the space, place, and scale. The role of governance, policy, and politics in the regional level is essential in the definition of a region. The emergent forms of governance regarding participatory and democratic leadership with new geographies of devolution and multi-layering clearly depicts the definition of a region. Similarly, the use of regions to shape, develop, and deliver policies determine their definition (Stiftel 2005, p. 220). Additionally, power relations are critical in evaluating regions’ interests and development. This implies that the initiative of contesting demands the collective provision and interpretation of governance of regional firm networks. Theref ore, it is crucial to realise that regions have more importance to contesters as they promote the emergence of spatial imaginaries at the city-region and local levels. Consequently, the main requirement of regional studies is to reflect on the need to articulate the normative content and intent of people’s work towards sustainable development at the local and regional levels. In defining regions, it is critical to adopt the Meyer’s classification of economies approach. This approach defines regions with respect to spatial differentiation. In this regard, there are the homogeneous, nodal, and programming regions (Salet 2003, p. 125). The homogeneous approach reflects on the regions that exhibit differentiating factors, but similar uniform terms of a certain criteria. This approach’s use has been significant with the analysis of economic activities. The nodal regions adopt the fact that there are nodes or market areas within the surrounding of the suburban areas t hat supply the nodes. Additionally, the government’s implementations of policies that create differentiating factors influence the programming regions. All these forms the influencing factors of a region explain the exact nature of a region. The process of contrasting regions and cities demands the analysis of regions space, scale, and social factors. Initially, the first contrast entails the definition of cities or regions with regard to the spatial-sectored factors, interaction between zones, external interaction or scale and change. The spatial-sectored structures refer the combination of the urban area (C zone) and the hinterland or surrounding regions (S zone). The interaction between zones entails how the C zone and S zone symbiotically relate with respect to their economic interdependence (Pacione 2005, p. 44). The external interactions depict how two different zones interact without losing their sight to the external economic relations. Similarly, scale and change por tray the extensiveness of an area and the frequency of changes in such regions. In this regard, adequate attention on the spatial structure and the change emerging due to evolution is vital. Another contrasting element of the types of regions is the polycentric urban region (PUR). This component entails the spatial structure, patterns of interaction and economic prospects of PUR. The spatial structure entails the grouping of urban areas that meet certain conditions such as the clustered distribution of urban areas, maximum and minimum spacing, lack of direct relationship between centres and any dominance, and the average level of interaction between centres. The patterns of interaction entail the labour-market interaction between centres. The economic prospects refer to the formation of a metropolitan area without its accompanying disadvantages. This fosters the efficient delivery of services and the adoption of appropriate system of governance. There are other ways of identifying P UR. These include the alternative interpretation of regions and polycentric megacity region (Stilwell 1992, p. 128). This enables the identification and distinction of cities and regions. References Clapp, J. A. (1971). New towns and urban policy; planning metropolitan growth. Dunellen: New York. Frey, H., Yaneske, P. (2007). Visions of sustainability: cities and regions. Taylor Francis: London. Hufschmidt, M. M. (1969). Regional planning; challenge and prospects. Praeger: New York. Pacione, M. (2005). 3. Urban geography : global perspective (pp. 22-57). Routledge: New York, NY. Parr, J. B. (2008). Cities and regions: problems and potentials. Environment and Planning, 40, 3009-3026. Pike, A. (2007). Editorial: Whither Regional Studies?. Centre for Urban and RegionalDevelopment Studies (CURDS), 41(9), 1143-1148. Salet, W. G. (2003). Metropolitan governance and spatial planning: comparative case studies of European city-regions. Spon Press: London. Short, J. R. (1996). 18. The urban order : an introduction to cities, culture, and power (pp. 414-438). Blackwell Publishers: Cambridge, Mass., USA. Stiftel, B., Watson, V. (2005). Dialogues in urban and regional planning. Routledge: London. Stilwell, F. J. (1992). Understanding cities regions: spatial political economy. Pluto Press Australia: Leichhardt, NSW.

DPP Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

DPP - Assignment Example I will need to be more diligent in consulting with various sources of literature on marketing and consumer-related phenomenon which will require more focus on independent study. The curriculum will also require understanding of statistical data that is highly valuable in a marketing career which will require gaining more practical knowledge of software systems that assist in data analysis. In virtually every job today, there is a requirement for the employee to be able to organise and evaluate data utilising various technologies (Cordes 2009). In order to become an effective marketing manager, I will require experiential learning on such applications as SPSS to familiarise myself with research data analyses as this will be a crucial skill in the marketing industry to gain important knowledge of consumer characteristics. Current skills gap include presentation skills, something that can be more effectively developed through experiential learning. Via practice, utilising Microsoft Powe rpoint, peer network resources and tutors, I will be able to develop better public speaking skills. I also require sharpening of my business English skills, something crucial for relationship development in business-to-business marketing. Through registration with online language courses and reading of business theory literature, I will develop the appropriate professionalism required in businesses. I also require improvement of my marketing management skills, which can be developed through attentive attendance of course lectures and through consultation with primary research studies on a plethora of phenomenon in marketing theory. Career moves Key Skill Relevance to Marketing Management Quality communications skills Face-to-face meetings and relationship development (Simply Hired 2013). Ability to analyse financial data Budget analyses and strategy development (Simply Hired 2013). Creative thinking skills Advertising development and promotion (Brassring 2013). Problem solving skill s Brand redevelopment and repositioning Providing evidence that communications skills are well-developed will require expressing competency in providing explanations, during the self-description process, and ensuring that the interviewer understands that I am detail-oriented when working with others, paying close attention to the sender before providing responses. Carr (1992) offers that in team environments where group consultations occur regularly, a leader must be like a coach, one who inspires others, builds their confidence, and opens effective lines of mutual discussion. It will be possible to illustrate to the potential employer that I have quality communications skills by focusing on my understanding and values related to team development and being able to provide personal experiences about participative leadership. This will clearly show that I am focused on opening dialogue between organisational members and strongly value consensus-based team operation. The ability to ana lyse financial data would not be exceedingly difficult. I can express to the potential employer that I am well-versed in understanding balance sheets, cash flow forecasts, and income statements to show the diversity of knowledge I hold about reading and assessing financial information. Mentioning the relationship between profit and loss and the administrative costs of marketing strategies and special marketing projects will show that I am competent in understanding the linkages

Tax competition V Tax Harmonization in an enlarged European Union Research Proposal

Tax competition V Tax Harmonization in an enlarged European Union - Research Proposal Example Some people believe tax harmonization creates unity and a level playing field, some believe its stifles competition and creates a socialist economic bloc. In this thesis I will examine both sides of the argument by looking at how the debate and policy has evolved over the years with a specific focus on how tax harmonization affects multinational corporations—whether it encourages them to invest in the EU or to pull out. Part of the basis of the European arrangement was the centralization of monetary policy. This was a huge amount of sovereignty for individual countries to give up. The assumption underlying this ceding of power by national governments really is that all economies within the European Union are created equally and the same measures for each economy are the appropriate way forward. This itself was controversial enough, but at the time left the national governments to at least set their own tax rates and compete for business by having differing corporate tax rates. This idea too soon bit the dust. Countries like France and Italy with high corporate tax rates were jealous that a country such as Ireland with a low tax rate was able to drum up so much business. They began to push for a single minimum rate across the whole of the EU. For high tax countries this levelled the playing field, but forcing more competitive countries to become less so—for low tax countries—often with much smaller economies to begin with—they had to punish companies that had come to them in the first place seeking a safe haven for investment. The simple knee-jerk logic is this: As factor mobility increases within the EU, pressure will be placed on member states to lower their tax rates on mobile factors in order to attract business. This unchecked competition will lead to a race to the bottom in which tax rates will dip so low as to threaten countries abilities to supply public goods. In response, one might argue for the necessity of strict

International Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Business - Research Paper Example ates and sold domestically. Furthermore, it is the hope of this author that by elaborating upon the fundamental decision-making structure that must be engaged with in order for such a choice to be made logically, the reader will come to a more full and complete appreciation for the many factors that take place prior to affirm determining what particular strategy and means of operation it will pursue. Finally, the analysis will seek to take a definitive stance with regards to whether making or buying a product is the better approach. Before delving too deeply into the issue at hand, it should be understood that such a level of inquiry necessarily demands that the firm/business entity must engage in a cost-benefit analysis of outsourcing versus domestic production. However, although it may seem that this cost-benefit analysis is necessarily something that is simple, it involves a series of steps, several different measurements, and a thorough analysis of both compliments and inputs of production as well as projected levels of sale and/or import tariffs/taxes/duties (Kisner, 2003). Due to the general complexity of this decision-making process, many firms have engaged in electronic software systems that help to keep a running tabulation of all differentials involved. However, for purposes of this brief analysis, the reader should seek to integrate with the determinant costs and benefits based upon experience analytical and non-electronically facilitated process. From even a cursory review of the make versus buy argument, the reader should come to understand there are essentially for primal numbers that the analyst must be fundamentally aware of. These four determinants which must be measured prior to any consideration being given are as follows: the volume, the fixed cost of making, per-unit direct cost when making, and per-unit cost when buying (Whittle, 2012). Accordingly, the preceding analysis will seek to engage the reader with a more full and complete underst anding of why each of these four determinants must be fundamentally understood and appreciated prior to any actionable decision being made by the entity in question. Besides the obvious level of importance of the four specific values which have been listed an elaborate upon the above, their overall importance is more specifically with regards to their representation within two specific equations. Ultimately, as can be expected, these two equations are understood as â€Å"costs to buy was quote and â€Å"costs to make†; however, more often, these equations are merely referenced in terms of their respective acronyms – CTB/CTM. Respect to CTB, this can be defined as volume multiplied by per unit cost when buying (Zhu, 1997). Likewise, with relation to CTM, this can be understood as fixed unit costs plus per unit direct cost multiplied by volume. In and of themselves, the determinant compliments of these equations tell the producer/importer little if

Cyber Forensics Essay Example for Free

Cyber Forensics Essay Cyber Forensics by Richard Boddington School of Information Technology Assignment 2 – Research Essay Assignment outline †¢ Assignment 2 – Research Essay is a submission of an essay based on the cyber forensic environment and is worth 30% of the overall unit mark †¢ Internal and external students undertake the same activities and are assessed the same. ICT248 undergraduate students are assessed differently from ICT548 post-graduate students in Assignment 2 †¢ The submission of a research essay based on the cyber forensic environment. The length of the essay should be: †¢ ICT248 Undergraduate students 3,500 words †¢ ICT548 Postgraduate students 4,500 words 2 Research not a ‘free-range essay’ †¢ You are required to complete and submit a RESEARCHBASED essay describing and discussing the processes AND challenges involved in identifying, recovering, securing, examining, analysing and preparing digital evidence from a crime scene †¢ This covers the theoretical part of the unit and should be based on the lecture/workshop material, this guide, the lecture notes and, most importantly your own research endeavours †¢ In my experience, employers are looking for graduates who possess analytical, research and communication (writing) skills above and beyond the components of the degree 3 The essay MUST contain: †¢ Introduction and table of contents Defining your scope of coverage of the essay †¢ Content – To enhance your grades, you MUST include some description and discussion of the following in your essay: †¢ †¢ †¢ Describe digital evidence Explain the key principles of cyber forensics Discuss investigation processes used to: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ preserve locate select analyse validate, and present evidence obtained from a computer for evidentiary purposes †¢ Discuss and the importance of crime reconstruction hypotheses and alternative hypotheses 4 The essay MUST contain: †¢ Conclusion most students overlook and underestimate the conclusion – this is where you summarise the facts described in the body of your essay and add your own conclusions based on what you have read. No new material should be added here. †¢ Grammar and spelling – spell check your drafts – get a friend or relative to proof-read your drafts prior to submission †¢ References that are cited in the essay – use EndNote, if you wish. This is available from the Library, free of charge. Post your draft to Turnitin (see separate instructions) to ensure that you have not inadvertently plagiarised the work of others †¢ Bibliography of other reference material that was used but not cited 5 Essay structure †¢ Use appropriate headings and sub-headings that relate to the chosen topic †¢ The essay should include relevant quotations -properly referenced and examples used to support your discussion within the essay †¢ Please don’t overuse quotations (max 5% of the document and they are not included in the word count) †¢ You will also be assessed on the presentation of your essay, as well as the contents 6 Referencing †¢ The quality and breadth of references used will be taken into account and credit will be given for evidence of wide reading on the topic and use of material from a variety of sources (i. e. , Learning Guide, books, journals, websites, newspapers, etc) †¢ Marks will not be awarded where correct referencing is not used and will also not be awarded where the above instructions are not followed †¢ All assertions by other authors must be correctly referenced. †¢ Please restrict your own comments to observations about the work of authors you are quoting †¢ Your own world view and statements of unsubstantiated facts (that are not referenced) do not earn marks †¢ Please see the Online Resources page on the unit MyLMS homepage. This will provide you with some links to help you with your essay preparation and writing 7 Turnitin †¢ The Research Essay must be fully referenced where the assertions of other authors are being used and must first be submitted to Turnitin before it is submitted to LMS as a completed assignment †¢ The Turnitin account that will have been prepared for you by the Unit Coordinator and available through the Unit LMS site †¢ Late submissions due to delays in submitting assignments through TURNITIN are not grounds for seeking an extension for the assignment. 8 Suggested format of the essay †¢ Essay style may be in report form or an essay – that is your choice †¢ Use of heading and a table of contents makes it easier for you to structure the essay in a logical and cohesive form †¢ It also makes it easier for the reader to navigate your essay and helps prepare the reader for each new major concept that you are introducing. †¢ Refer to the hints and tips on essay writing and referencing that may have already been posted in the MyLMS discussion board. If you are not already making good use of the board by reading the contents, I exhort you to do so †¢ Include a descriptive title – many students do not do this 9 Essay structure †¢ Introduction – an overview of the key issues, concepts, etc. , that you want to share with your reader – some of you may wish to include an abstract †¢ Body of the essay – more details of what you have stated in your introduction – use sub headings – logical flow of information and key and sub-topics – dot points ok, but don’t over use them – quotes should be kept to a minimum and are not included in the word count – extra points awarded for you paraphrasing the work of the authors you quote †¢ Use linking paragraphs to introduce the next topic †¢ Some room for argument in your essay, but restrict this to your opinion of the work of credible authors you include in your essay 10 Reference materials †¢ Referencing – as above – ensure it meets the academic standards of the university. Suspected plagiarism will be reported to the Dean – so take care to avoid it †¢ For an essay of this calibre – I suggest at least 5 quality journal or book articles per topic. †¢ Bibliography to include those references you looked at but did not include as a reference will also enhance your essay’s credibility 11 Searching for materials †¢ Try the new iGoogle feature that incorporates SFX FindIT to enhance your search for quality articles and books on the essay topic: http://wwwlib. murdoch. edu. au/mylibrary/tools. html 12 13 Criteria Assignment Structure Max marks 3 Comments Mark awarded Introduction, objectives, scope, logical flow, headings and subheadings Grammar, spelling 4 Correct English usage Coverage of the Topic 15 Coverage, matches scope. Information not appropriately referenced at best gets no marks and at worse may suggest plagiarism. o o o o Analysis, Conclusion and discussion Describe digital evidence Explain the key principles of cyber forensics. Discuss examination processes used to: ? preserve ? locate ? select ? analyse ? validate, and ? present evidence obtained from a computer for evidentiary purposes. Discuss and the importance of crime reconstruction hypotheses and alternative hypotheses. 4 Draws together discussion, highlights implications, etc. Citations 4 Used correctly in-text, provide examples included in references References Quality, breadth, completeness, matches citations, Bibliography. TOTAL MARKS 30 14 15

Ignorance and Air Power: The Failure of U. S. Leadership to Properly U

Ignorance and Air Power: The Failure of U. S. Leadership to Properly Utilize Air Power in Vietnam Major Ted Tolman’s F-105 Thud fighter/bomber streaked through the air at just under the speed of sound. His aircraft performed modestly at best, struggling to maintain its speed and altitude under the heavy load of ordinance and fuel it carried under its wings (Patrick). Tolman, and his wingman Major Lonnie Ferguson, were en route to a rail line that served to distribute supplies from Cam Pha Harbor to enemy troops throughout North Vietnam. The harbor itself was protected from attack by orders coming directly from Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, meaning the only way to neutralize supplies coming through the harbor was to attack the distribution network that surrounded it (Patrick). As he flew low near the harbor, puffs of flack began to appear, and Tolman soon found himself under heavy attack from North Vietnamese ground based anti-aircraft artillery (AAA). He hesitated a moment, then decided that he did not want to become a prisoner in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Tolman depressed his rudder pedal and rapidly swung his F-105 around, pointing the nose at the AAA emplacement and releasing a burst of 20mm cannon fire. In doing so, he made the biggest mistake of his career (Patrick). As he swung his fighter around, Tolman inadvertently passed his gun sight directly across the Soviet cargo ship Turkestan as it traversed towards its intended target. Designed to provide a record of the action, the gun camera mounted in the nose of Tolman’s F-105 caught an image of the Soviet ship, inside the Cam Pha Harbor sanctuary, directly centered in his sights (Patrick). There was nothing that suggested any of the rounds Tol... ... Diss. United States Air Force Command Staff College, 1995. McNamara, Robert S. and Brian VanDeMark. In Retrospect. New York: Vintage Books, 1995. â€Å"Operation Rolling Thunder.† Military Analysis Network. 1998. Federation of American Scientists. 20 Dec. 2003. Patrick, Joe. â€Å"Testing the Rules of Engagement.† Vietnam Memoirs. 2003. 80th Fighter Squadron. 13 Nov. 2003. Rendall, Ivan. Rolling Thunder. New York: The Free Press, 1997. â€Å"Robert S. McNamara.† Secretaries of Defense. Defenselink. 20 Dec. 2003. United States Joint Chiefs of Staff. Memorandum to CINPAC, Definitive Rules of Engagement Applying to Laos. Washington: DoD, 1964.

Online Examination System Essay

The purpose of on-line test simulator is to take online test in an efficient manner for various branches/semesters/courses at the same time and no time wasting for checking the paper. The main objective of on-line test simulator is to efficiently evaluate the candidate thoroughly through a fully automated system that not only saves lot of time but also gives fast results. It is targeted at removing all the paper work in the examination process. The system is designed by keeping future in mind so that it can be used in any educational institutions as well as in corporate World with little changes. It saves a lot of time as it allows number of students/trainees to give the exam at a time and displays the results as the test gets over, so no need to wait for the result. Administrator has a privilege to add new teachers and students to the test papers. User can register, login and give the test with his specific id, and can see the results as well. This software can be used anywhere any time as it is a web based application (user Location doesn’t matter). No restriction is there that examiner has to be present when the candidate takes the test. The current system is analyzed thoroughly and all the bottlenecks are identified. 2. Users demonstrable needs are captured and freezed. User needs a web-based system, which will remove all the problems in existing system, the user is facing. The user wants a web- based system, which will reduce the bulk of paperwork, provide ease of work, flexibility, fast record finding, modifying, adding, removing and generating the reports. A new system has been proposed on my perception of the system, in accordance with the problems of existing system by making a full layout of the system on paper. 4. The feasibility of the system proposed was analyzed by comparing the following factors with both the existing system and proposed system. The proposed system was found feasible in terms of cost, effort, time and labor. Analysis of the system is complete. 5. Database design is complete. 6. System coding is in progress.