The Aims and Objectives of an Islamic Bank

The Aims and Objectives of an Moslem beachMuslim swaning is becoming increasingly popular and plays a heavy(a) role in the financial services firmament in Malaysia. According to latest statistics shown, the Muslim population of Malaysia is approximately 25 million. There is definitely a strong demand and strong growth authorisation in this sector. In Malaysia, the cashboxing sector is mainly dominated by the unoriginal desireing constitution whereby interest is non be prohibited. It is because the Muslim bordering constitution is relatively new and there argon insufficient regulations at present to govern them. If these obstacles are world resolved, the Moslem Banking sector will blossom given the influence of Malaysia in the international Muslim community.The primary aim of this research is to examine and understand in depth the ontogeny of Islamic banking in the world of finance. This piece of research can be separate into three sections. The first section looks at significant differences between naturalized banking and Islamic banking. Products and services offered by these financial institutions will be marked to comparison. The second section looks at how the practice of Islamic banking started and how it has emerged to become a ampul force in the economy. The final part of the research will focus on how the Islamic banks penetrated the Malaysian market and the challenges face up.1.1 Structure of DissertationThis dissertation is divided into a few topics and each topic covers different areas of research. This is to give readers a clearer view of the research and make it more than user-friendly. It is well thought and designed to verify the smooth flow of the reading. The structure of the dissertation can be summarized as followsChapter 1 This chapter describes the aims and objectives of this research.Chapter 2 This chapter discusses the principles and fundamentals of Islamic bankingChapter 3 This chapter explains in detailed the p ut forward and scope of Islamic banking industry in Malaysia. I ca-ca in addition mentioned to objectives and roles the Malaysia planetary Islamic Financial Centre Initiatives plays in the industry.Chapter 4 Research methodologies and strategies that were being adopted for this paper was discussed.Chapter 5 I have marked two Islamic banks in Malaysia for side by side comparison. I have skeletal up a table to compare their financial performance and position over the past two years.Chapter 6 I have interviewed two Islamic bankers from Malaysia. On top of that, I have alike provided my in-person analysis of their answers.Chapter 7 Competition and globalization of the Islamic banking industry. Moreover, I have also discussed opportunities and challenges faced in the world and in Malaysia.Chapter 8 A summary of the paper was included with recommendations and limitations to research.2 INTRODUCTIONSo, what exactly is Islamic Banking? Islamic Banking is banking based on Islamic laws ( shariah law). The Shariah principles are derived from the Quran and the Sunnah (sayings of Prophet Muhammad). Moreover, secondary sources of Islamic laws much(prenominal) as opinions collectively concord among Shariah scholars, analogy and personal reasoning are also adopted in the rules and practices of Islamic banks (Al-Omar, 1996).The research then looks at the differences between pompous banking and Islamic banking. There governing principles of Islamic banks areRibaAbsence of interest-based transactions. Charging of interest is prohibited under Shariah principles. Money itself does not have inherent value and should not be used to manufacture more money. Wealth can only be generated through legitimate trade and investment.GhirarActs of speculation are not accepted under Islamic principles. For instance, purchasing goods now at lower price in the hope of selling them at higher price in future. The reason being speculators make clubby gains at the expense of society at lar ge.ZakatIntroduction of Islamic tax for the purpose of wealth distribution so that every Muslim is guaranteed a jolly standard of living.HaramIt is forbidden for Islamic banks to finance activities forbidden in Islam much(prenominal) as prok meat and alcoholic beverage. In order to check that the trading activities do not contradict with Shariah principles, all Islamic banks are required to enclothe up Shariah Committee, who acts as advisor to the banks.On the other hand, naturalized banks charge interest on transactions. These interests are widely seen as price of credit. Furthermore, conventional banks focuses on elimination of risks and thus do not share every liabilities with the borrower.(Figure 1)Islamic Bank Vs Conventional BankBased on Shariahprinciples.Based on best economic principles.Bank should not take advantage of borrower. No interest charged.Charges interest to reflect price of credit.Does not allow involvement in haramactivities such as pork meat and alcoholic beverage.Aims at maximizing profit without restrictions other than compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks.Intoduction of zakat.Non-existence of zakat.Promotes risk sharing between providers of credit and borrower.Interest is assured to providers of credit. No liabilities borne by the bank.Emphasis fit(p) on viability and feasibility of projects.Emphasis placed on credit-worthiness of customers.Only provide guarantee for gear up ac calculate (al-wadiah). If funds placed under mudarabah accounts, customers shares profit or loss incurred by bank.Provides guarantee to all its depositors.www.learn islamicfinance.com2.1 Fundamentals of Islamic Banking financeIslamic commercial law is based on a few major(ip) principles. They will be discussed in detailed as followsMusharakah (Partnership Finance)Musharakah is a contract in which the bank and the client contribute jointly to the capital of a circumstantial project or deal to make a profit. Therefore, risks of profits and losses are being shared between these two parties according to terms and conditions stipulated in the contract. This principle exposes bank to the risks of the project, in other words protecting the interests of the community. This will prevent banks from yielding their unfair influence and sells disadvantage products to clients.Mudarabah (Trust Financing)Mudarabah is a contract in which the banks provides all the capital required whilst the partner contributes in terms of skills, experiences and efforts. The bank receives a pre-determined share of profits as agreed by both parties upon startle of the project. The major difference between mudarabah and musharakah is that in this case, the bank bears all financial loss whilst the client goes unrewarded. Therefore, it is also the banks responsibilities to assess the feasibility and viability of the project. As such, it is vital for the bank to have a good and credible credit system to evaluate all its exposures on these projects. In short, this principle encourages individuals to participate in financial activities It also gives individuals without sufficient resources an opportunity and platform to prove themselves in the society.Murabaha (Cost-plus Financing)Murabaha is a contract in which the banks informs their client about the acquisition price of certain goods and products and sells them with a margin. It requires the bank to declare an honest price of acquisition. It is one of the most common principles adopted in Islamic banking system to promote interest-free transactions. It is widely practiced in addition financing and both commodity import and export.Bai-Muajjal (Deferred Payment Sale)It is a contract in which the seller sells a certain goods or products to the buyer at an agreed fixed price to be paid later at a specific date by the buyer. In short, it is a sale on credit. The bank merely acts as the financier by deferring the receipt of the sale price of goods it sells.Ijara (Leasing)In this case, the bank buys capital equipment or property and leases it out under component to clients. Similar to conventional leasing, the client has the option to purchase the goods at the end of the lease period. The fact that there is real good to be financed means that it is Shariah compliant. A very common product adopting this principle is Islamic mortgage whereby the buyer buys the property on an instalment basis.Qard HassanIslamic teachings promote brotherhood amongst Muslims. Qard Hassan is seen as a gratuitous loan that helps fellow Muslims who need financial assistance. It can be defined as a loan to be repaid at a later date without incurring any interests. According to Rob (1992), Islamic banks may raise funds through sale of shares to public and main deposit accounts. Therefore, the bank has a responsibility to lend a helping hand to those in desperate situation without taking of their advantaged position.2.2 Compatibility of Islamic Banking with Conventional BankingIslamic banking s ystem has very similar features to conventional banking except that Islamic banks operate in compliant to Shariah laws and principles. Both banking systems have common features and common products. The main differences being prohibition of interests being incurred and sharing of profits and losses between banks and their clients (Abdur Rahim, cc9). They have the same objectives except interpretation of interest. Islamic banks fall into realms of the economic world as well. They try to ensure all their operations comply with Shariah laws yet at the same time conform to rules set by international bodies such as International Accounting Standards Board and Audit Practices Board. This is to ensure they remain relevant to the society and at the same time conform to their religious principles. Islamic banks sell products such as mortgages, savings accounts, insurance which is also sold by all conventional banks across the world. According to Nienhaus (1995), Islamic banks offer facilities more or less the same as conventional banks, in compliance with the welfare principles of Islam.3 LITERATURE REVIEWA literature review is a process in which published articles or information are studied as part of the research for the preparation of a dissertation. For the purpose of this project, I have gathered information from books and articles from discordant sources. I have studied the concept of Islamic banking, having limited understanding about this topic previously. Further, I have also included discussion about the development of Islamic banking in the world, and in particular, Malaysia. This paper allows readers to have a good grasp of Islamic banking in world-wide. It gives readers the opportunity to study about Islamic banking in greater detail when the interest of this industry gathering strong momentum. This is of particular importance because Islamic banking has a huge impact of the world economy because of the strong influence of the oil-rich Gulf States.3.1 In troductionSince a few decades agone, Islamic banking has emerged as a new reality in the world economy. Its philosophies and principles are however, not new, having been outlined in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) more than 1,400 years ago. The emergence of Islamic banking is often related to to the revival of Islam and the desire of Muslims to live all aspects of their live in accordance with the teachings of Islam (Siddiqi, 1983).This chapter provides a brief overview of how Islamic Banking was introduced in the World and how it penetrated the Malaysian market. Islamic banking nowadays has proven to be a popular and reliable financial system in the world. It is widely seen as a viable alternative to the conventional banking system over last 3 decades. Islamic banking was described by scholars as wishful thinking when the idea was first mooted almost thirty years ago (Iqbal and Philip, 2006). Many conferences and discussions were carried out at that t ime to work on the finer details of this system. Several blueprints were drafted by Islamic scholars from all over the world to ensure a detailed system is created.The first international conference on Islamic Economics was organized by Kings Abdul Aziz University in Makkah marked an important milepost in the history of Islamic banking (Iqbal, 2005). Financial gurus, economic experts and Islamic leaders were invited to present their view and opinions.Following this, the first Islamic bank, Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) was constituted in the United Arab Emirates in 1975. Since its formation, it has established itself as the leader in the industry and has won several accolades internationally. In 2009, it recorded net profit of 200 million with assets worth over 14 billion. Islamic banking has gained tremendous momentum and has been growing rapidly over the years. Islamic banks now offer products in various areas such as banking, insurance, mortgage and asset management with annual growt h of 10% for many years.3.2 History of Islamic Banking in MalaysiaIslamic banking industry in Malaysia is growing at a moderate pace. It is a unique market because Islamic banks in Malaysia are allowed to operate in parallel to conventional banks (interest-based). The multiethnic population of Malaysia makes the entire change of financial system to follow the Shariah system not viable. Government of Malaysia opted for gradual fashion of introducing Islamic banking by allowing conventional banks to sell Islamic banking products and services such as sukuk (Arif, 1989). The dual banking system has been recognised by both West and East leaders and it is seen to be the sticker of the future. In fact, many underlying bankers have visited Malaysia to see the effectiveness of this dual system first hand. Furthermore, this dual system also eliminates the wrong concept of general public that Islamic banking products are sold exclusively to Muslims.The history of Islamic banking industry g oes back to as far as 1963, when the foresighted government set up the Lembaga Tabung Haji also known as the Pilgrims Management and Fund Board. It was set-up primarily to encourage Muslims in the country to save up on their income in order to perform pilgrimage in Mecca (Kamarulzaman Bhupalan, 1983). Besides, the fund was also created to provide a platform for participation in the economic and investment activities. Based on the success of the Lembaga Tabung Haji, coupled with the consultation of Shariah experts and economic gurus, government then proceeded to set up the first ever Islamic Bank in 1983. saddle horse up of Bank Islam Berhad Malaysia (BIMB) marked a milestone in the banking industry. It proved to be hugely popular because over half the Malaysian population are Islam followers. What followed through was the listing of the bank in the stock exchange of Malaysia in the early 1990s. As of today, the bank has 100 braches located all over Malaysia.With the fairytale of BIMB, central bank decided to allow commercial banks and merchant banks to offer Islamic banking products under the Islamic Banking Scheme. It was not long after that the central bank set up the National Shariah Advisory Council to oversee all issues pertaining to Islamic Banking.Due to the economic liberalisation, central bank finally grants licenses to foreign Islamic banks to operate in Malaysia in 2004. Al-Rahji Bank and capital of Kuwait Finance House took full advantage of this ruling and step foot into the Malaysian banking industry. The last count of Islamic banks operating in Malaysia stood at 21.3.3 Scope of Islamic Banking in MalaysiaIslamic Banking started out as mere deposit taking and lending zeal has since transformed into all aspects of banking, money and capital market operations. In Malaysia, the central bank is in favour of a dual banking system, whereby Islamic banks are allowed to co-exist with conventional banks. It is at the consumers choice to select which s ervices they prefer that cater to their needs. This is in stark contrast with the scenario in Iran and Pakistan, where conventional banking system is abolished completely to make way for Islamic banking. They claim to be devoid of conventional interest based financial transactions.Today, the Malaysian Islamic banking sector is blossoming as reflected in the prolonged distribution networks comprising 152 full-fledged Islamic banking branches. The ability of these Islamic banks to offer competitive products with attractive and innovative features has attracted both Muslim and non-Muslim population in the country. This has also spurred non banking institutions such as savings institutions to introduce Shariah compliance product to appeal to a wider consumer base.According to Association of Islamic Banking Institutions Malaysia, there are 21 Islamic banks who have subscribed to their membership. The list of Islamic banks is provided as followsAffin Islamic Bank BerhadAlliance Islamic B ank BerhadAl-Rajhi Banking Investment Corporation BerhadAmIslamic Bank BerhadAsian Finance Bank BerhadBank Islam Malaysia Bank BerhadBank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bank BerhadBank Muamalat Malaysia Bank BerhadBank Simpanan Malaysia BerhadCIMB Islamic Bank BerhadEONCAP Islamic Bank BerhadHong Leong Islamic Bank BerhadHSBC Amanah Malaysia BerhadKuwait Finance House (Malaysia) BerhadMaybank Islamic Bank BerhadOCBC Al-Amin Bank BerhadPT Bank Muamalat IndonesiaPublic Islamic Bank BerhadRHB Islamic Bank BerhadStandard Chartered Saadiq BerhadUnicorn International Islamic Bank BerhadAs evident from the list above, there are 21 banks offering Islamic products in the Malaysian market. Confidence is clearly shown on the Malaysian market with international banking powerhouse presence such as Standard Chartered group and Kuwait Finance House.The Governor of Central Bank Malaysia recently declared the central banks intention to lure larger overseas banks to provided services that comply with Mus lim tenets. As a sweetener to any potential deal, the central bank has raised foreign ownership limits at local Islamic banks and insurance companies to 70%. Rising oil wealth has turned the Islamic banking into an industry with assets with $1 trillion in assets globally. The central bank is doing its utmost, implementing initiatives to explore this relatively untapped market. In addition to the changes in foreign ownership limits, the central bank is also offering tax breaks for Islamic products and has relaxed rules for Islamic banks to trade in foreign currencies (Aziz, 2006). This is seen as a major breakthrough because the foreign currencies dealing is tightly regulated due to the impact Malaysian market suffered in the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.In July 2010, Khazanah, Malaysia sovereign wealth fund made its entranceway in Singapore debt market issuing sukuk or Islamic bonds worth $1.5 billion, three times the size of Singapore sukuk market until now. This further strengthe ned the Malaysian government efforts to promote Islamic banking products both domestically and internationally.

Urban Design for Community Development | Case Study

urban Design for Community Development Case StudyIntroductionUrban bod is considered the practice of influencing and managing the urban environment. Its role and potential for creating better places in atomic number 18as with community issues shall be discussed with reference to Hulme, an study one mile south of Manchester city focalise. During the late 80s Hulme fell into a acres of inner city decay, it became a marginal area nonorious for crime, social deprivation and poor housing. However, during the early 90s an ambitious urban transition purpose c everyplaceing an area of 240 acres was created, the programme was entitled The Hulme City Challenge Initiative. This was managed by a joint venture comp some(prenominal), Hulme Regeneration Limited consisting of Manchester City Council and AMEC Plc everyplace the years a host of other unrestricted, private and community interests ready been involved.Hulme is an extreme case of an area with community issues some of which re main unresolved. However, more than 12 years since the programmes launch and with over 250 million invested into numerous regeneration projects it give ups a wealth of information for making clear points throughout the essay. Hulmes new qualities and past deficiencies go forth enable genuine connections to be made with urban design theories while highlighting possible measures one could consider when addressing areas with community issues.How do community issues turf out?When addressing community issues one of the first roles is to understand how the existing problems grow arisen. A rigorous transparent analysis should be conducted so that previous errors are not repeated because areas swept away in wholesale redevelopment are often the very areas which today are failing and undergoing signifi bumt change (CABE 2005, p.12). This occurred to Hulme during the 60s,.When several(predicate) social and ethnic underprivileged groups live together in marginal areas like Hulme they a ll generally have limited access to resources and rights while discordant communal tensions post arise from sparse customary lacunas. These limited public quadrangles experience pressures from various patterns of use from people living in flats without gardens, to those who spend a long clipping outdoors, like the homeless, drug addicts, loitering teenagers with nothing to do and migrants with instanterhere to socialise. This causes friction and competition between these groups who in turn intimidate others who want break away through or use these areas. Those intimidated usually withdraw themselves from these group dominated spaces they tend to be the elderly, disabled and young children. Incidentally, the 1960s Hulme design disheartened permeableness through the public realm it lacked revolution of space and available institutions, which created defensible areas and isolation. These past issues imply Hulme suffered from placelessness (Jacobs Appleyard 1987), whereby pe ople withdraw from community involvement to whoop it up their own private and limited worlds (Jacobs Appleyard 1987, p.115).Neglect and decline of space is common in marginal areas, but why is it we find litter ridden streets, vandalised outdoor furniture, twist heaps in parks, empty business units, areas of poor maintenance, and so forth. Some blame finish be directed towards the local authorities for the latter withal in this case one will address neglect shown from local residents. When residents allow their environment to fall into a state of decline it highlights their lack of fastening to place. Alternatively, the concerned minority believe any attempts to maintain the area will still be in vain. The lack of attachment with place squirt resolvent from transient inhabitants who feel no responsibility in looking after or respecting short-term, low- case accommodation and surrounding public spaces. As an area declines over time so does the case of life, it portrays a disposition of giving up within the community. For Hulme it became stigmatised with a negative perceptual image presented through dilapidated buildings and its depressing environment. This can have a knock on effect by deterring local businesses who fear no returns on their investment and are sceptic about security. This not only degrades public areas through reduced street activity and social integration but it reduces self-policing, increases unemployment levels which fuels localised crime from the resulting low levels of social organisation (Wilson, 1997 p.21). Hulme managed to force those with any aspirations out of its area through defining itself as an estate via its rigid zoning of activities and housing tenure. Its unstable and declining local population not only washy community bonds but assisted the process of residualisation in Hulme and hence crime figures rose.Working with and resolving community issuesHaving scratched beyond the surface of some common community issue s, one will discuss potential methods of approach suggested by urban design theorists. These will be cross referenced with several socially mend developments in Hulme.Selected PreservationFirstly one should strive to understand the collective social meanings and values communities place on their existing physical environment via long consultation with residents. This allows one to distinguish the character and uniqueness a specific place presents this may be through specific buildings, public spaces or landmarks. Calthorpe and Fulton state that conservation and restoration are practical undertakings that can besocially enriching (Calthorpe Fulton 2001, p.48). Therefore the urban designer should seek to maintain these focal points weaving them into future development, thus change the communities urban identity. Through preserving some familiar settings it provides a psychological comfort for long term residents specifically the elderly. One of the main and incidentally oldest buil dings conserved during Hulmes regeneration was the congregational Church for Zion Institute, built in 1911. This iconic building was maintained and converted in 1997 into a multi-arts facility for young people its success has helped provide creative opportunities for youngsters as well as delivering socially enriching communal events. It is these constant events and public performances that have reinforced and created group connections within Hulme. This hub for young people has tempted beau ideal children off the street and assisted with the reduction in juvenile crime.Connecting People to PlacesAt a macro scale communities suffering from a sense of entrapment and abandonment can be helped through increase permeability and connections to the city. One of the first major actions in Hulme was the re-in educational activity of Stratford Road which provided a vital link to Manchester city centre this allowed the communities to feel integrated with the wider context and thus reduced th eir restriction to resources. Additionally, the completion of the landmark Mancunian Way Footbridge in 2002 symbolically linked Hulme greens with Knott Mill and the City Centre. It was significantly designed for pedestrians and cyclists to be able to cross the busy Mancunian Way, but how can designers encourage pedestrian and cyclist deed in an unsafe environment?Incidentally, various design measures can be employed to increase public realm safety while collectively reduce the impact of the car incidentally the car dominated Hulmes 60s design, ideally the some important public places must be for pedestrians, for no public life can take place between people in automobiles (Jacobs Appleyard 1987, p.119). creation and private space should be clearly defined (Jacobs 1961).A variety of well-lit routes that pedestrians or cyclists can choose should any problems arise.Routes should not be isolated they should be self-policed with sufficient eyes on the street through shops and housing which increase a sense of safety (Jacobs 1961).Street layout should be clear to play down the distance from A to B.The grain of the street should become thin around nodes of activity to influence permeability of the space.At a localised scale increasing social integration amongst a different community is difficult. Designing physical space has its limitations when trying to inform where and what types of social interaction will occur. What can be provided to communities are areas that encourage chance encounters which in turn may create group formations. There are generally two types of group formations, formal and communal. From an urban design perspective the former group type can be encouraged more because they have a prescribed purpose with defined patterns. It is the communal groups which have to evolve themselves, however design can allow social patterns to be easily recognize via unrestricted access to activities within public spaces. It is through repeated activities suc h as markets that friendships can be made over time between existing and new residents. Furthermore, areas designated for specific activities, for instance sports can support group relations. Observing other people and their activities, like watching a local football match, can make others, such as new residents feel a temporal sense of belonging without actually participating in the activity themselves (Carr et al. 1992). This reinforces the argument that public spaces must be accessible to all groups to enable observation as well as verbal interaction.Hulme Park is a prime example of how a public space can have a validating impact on a community. It not only brings people together but improves their quality of life and projects a confident image of the area. The respective brief was to deliver a safe and appealing park to attract a variety of groups. mental barriers rather than physical installations were employed to create a public but secure park. Firstly its width never excee ds 70 metres, this allows users to recognise one other and subconsciously not feel anonymous within the space. Secondly the new surrounding houses provide natural surveillance, also an existing road and perimeter pose increase nearby activity which creates a sense of security.Community Engagement IdentityWhen a neighbourhood neglects their own environment it is important as a designer to try and restore a sense of pride and public ownership of the suffering area through community engagement. Building a sonorousness with residents from the offset can be advantageous during the development process and local input can compulsoryly influence design decisions. User participation in the design process and management of space provides communities with a feeling of control over their own neighbourhood (Carr et al. 1992) this can increase their attachment to place resulting in a revived interest in their surrounding environment. Providing opportunities for personalisation of space can a lso reinforce this goal. The development of Hulme Park involved a series of meetings with residents from the area so its design could appeal to its potential users. Due to diverse requests from a range of age-groups, the designers, Landscape Projects went with a popular theme which arose during the consultation process naiant and surfing. The design theme reflected the communities interest and stamped their identity and involvement on the project. This generated a high level of respect for the space and has resulted in minimal vandalism of the park.Additionally, entire decisions can be made by working with the community when determining suitable functions for a space. It is the function or activity within a space that can become meaningful to individuals, groups and communities. One can create meaningful space based upon understanding the residents lives and patterns of use (Carr et al. 1992). Public space incorporating various functions can be designed by categorising site charac teristics and linking them to desired activity settings suggested by the community. The facilities within Hulme Park were strategically located in order to gain utmost social integration. For instance, the sports area was specifically located next to the existing Proctors Youth Centre so coaches could train and observe the whole team. Local requests for a skate park were integrated into the design too, thus increasing its diversity and user appeal.New developments always ignite some form of opposition, usually from long-term residents as the thought of change unsettles them. Generally they are in search of assurance that their community and the environment in which they live have a future and most importantly that they are part of that future. Territoriality can be a sensitive issue when community groups develop strong feelings about their rights to have a space developed this can create tension between the designer and can instigate neighbourhood disputes as a result of a groups c laim over a space. From an urban design perspective indistinct boundaries are the typical cause of such disputes, therefore delineating spaces that are collectively owned can minimise conflict while strengthening a sense of public ownership.Physical installations can help unify communities and reinstate a sense of identity public art can portray shared social values of a neighbourhood while iconic landmarks can make a positive statement of change, which helps revitalise an area through nullifying previous stigmatisations. This has been achieved in Hulme with Wilkinson Eyres striking Arch Bridge, its key location (a major route from the City Centre to the main thruway network) helps highlight and reinforce the positive transformations occurring within Hulme. It is one of many new landmarks which have attracted more people and businesses to the area, thus building a stronger community which contributes to more eyes on the street and increased local employment results in lower crime l evels. mutation FlexibilityAccording to Calthorpe and Fulton (2001), diversity is one of their aboriginal elements for improving communities. Providing a range of local activities within close proximity enables community identity resulting in a strengthened urban quality. New diverse buildings should be visually interesting if people are to enjoy experiencing their environment, if a citys streets look interesting, the city looks interesting. (Jacobs 1961, p.27). Fig 2 displays how Hulme has become a more kind place to live with its dramatic diversification of housing stock and its replacement of the notorious Hulme Crescent with modern housing. Additionally, Carr et al. (1992) state how nature not only adds diversity to an area but develops bonds between people and places. The best public spaces are the most flexible ones (Madanipour 2004, p.285), hence why spaces deliberately left undefined in Hulme allowed new uses to evolve over time. Through not overdesigning a place it enabl es users to adapt space to their needs. Incidentally, the Hulme horticultural society was officially revived through local adaptable space it also reinforces the fact that nature can bring disparate individuals and groups with various interests together.ConclusionTo summarise, the Hulme case study has demonstrated how quality urban design has the potential to resolve community issues and make a place better. Despite some remaining troubles in Hulme one was keen to focus upon the positive urban design elements which healed many of its community problems. The social benefits realised in the development and revival of Hulme is summarised under the following key urban design elementsPreservation maintaining key buildings like the Zion Art Centre have sustained the historic identity of Hulme which comforts long-term residents, while those regenerated have created nodes of social integration.permeability Accessibility connectivity with the wider environment of Manchester has removed the sense of entrapment and abandonment within Hulme.Communal institutions Public Space the revival of Stratford Road as a shopping last and the success of Hulme park are examples of how Hulmes urban environment has been activated, with increased social activity and group formations.Safety on the streets through logical street design, increased facilities and communal opportunities the greater number of eyes on the street have made the area safer.Neighbourhood involvement through community consultation during developments, residents now feel a sense of ownership, well-being and respect for their environment this has helped reduce vandalism in the area.Landmarks Hulme Arch bridge has helped promote Hulme in a positive light which has resulted in an increase in residents and local businesses resulting in its stronger community spirit and reduced crime rates due to local employment opportunities.Diversity Flexibility the diversity of housing and public space has made the area a more att ractive place to live thus increasing the communities quality of life. Flexible space has provided the opportunity for further positive developments when community interests and desires change.What is apparent is that all the above are interwoven and affect one another in some way therefore they must be purposefully combined to support one another. It is also obvious that environmental and economic factors have an cardinal effect on the success of such design elements. However, one should strive for a complementary economic, environmental and social strategy to maximise community benefits.BibliographyCarr, S. et al., 1992. Public Space. Cambridge Cambridge University Press.Calthorpe, P. Fulton, W., 2001. The Regional City Planning for the end of sprawl. London Island Press.Jacobs, J., 1961. The Death and Life of Great American Cities The Failure of Town Planning. New York Vintage Books.Wilson, W.J., 1997. When Work Disappears The sphere of the New Urban Poor. New York Vintage Books.Jacobs, A. Appleyard, D., 1987. Toward an Urban Design manifesto. Journal of the American Planning Association, 53, pp.112-120.Madanipour, A., 2004. Marginal Public Spaces in European Cities. Journal of Urban Design, 9 (3), pp.267-286.CABE, 2005. Creating Successful Neighbourhoods Lessons and Actions for Housing Market Renewal. London CABE.

The Princess Bride -x :: essays research papers

Journal of William Goldmans The Princess BrideThe princess bride is an incredibly entertaining book. Although it was written mostly as a farce comedy it contains many themes. The developments seen in the dynamic characters are astounding ones. The theme, or motif, which Im going to follow through the story is that of Fezzik and his quest for self confidence and a ripe self image. From the time that the novel starts to the end, Fezzik achieves a good self image. He starts out with a very low self image and, by the end, he finds in himself talents that give him a better image of himself.To begin with, Vizzini never allows Fezzik to provide an sort of input or to think in any way. When Fezzik, inigo and Vizzini setoff kidnap buttercup, Fezzik attempts to offer some good ideas, but Vizzini will take in none of it. I think we should kill her now, the Turk said.The less you think, the happier Ill be, The Scilian answered. (Page 83)And later on the same rascalboy&8230the Turk mumbled . deal are always thinking that Im so stupid because Im big and strong and sometimes drool a little when I get excited.The reason people think youre so stupid, the Scilian said, is because you are so stupid. It has nothing to do with your drooling. Vizzini manages, with his constant verbal attacks on Fezzik to destroy any shred of confidence that Fezzik may have had before. Vizzinis ego is getting in the way of Fezzik. From a very young age Fezzik was taunted by his school mates. At first, naturally, they were scared to death (even then Fezzik looked fierce) but at once they found out he was chicken, well, they werent about to let an opportunity like that get away&8230it would go on like that until Fezzik would burst into tears and liberation away. People never gave Fezzik any sort of chance. He has always been considered a fool out loud. Luckily he had his rhymes to comfort him.When Vizzini dies, although it leaves Fezzik in a take of despair, it is probably the best thing for him. The stopping of Vizzinis verbal attacks allow to build his confidence. I think that the first big confidence building experience for Fezzik is when Inigo begs him for help. From page 224&8230Fly, Fezzik this is Inigo begging you-- make a path&8212please Well, Fezzik had rarely had anyone beg him for anything, least of all Inigo,

Smoking Essay -- Tobacco Cigarettes

SmokingIntroductionSome governments have banned hummer in all public places. Smoking has been proven to be very dangerous to health. Nonetheless 40 % of the population smokes. Actually I am a non smoker, although I used to be a smoker.Most people try out smoking when they are young many youths think smoking is a good grown-up habit. Furthermore many young people begin smoking as an act of rebellion and independence. Young smokers start smoking at their develop of 12 or 13 just to get a taste of , what it is like. Some of them find it disgusting and unhealthy and some of them find it cool.Facts and FiguresTobacco use kills about 420, 000 smokers each year. According to recent studies 53.000 nonsmokers die each year from second-hand smoking. It is not surprising. Despite having plenty of anti-tobacco commercials on Television, and on any single pack of cigarettes there being an important note, chainsmokers cant kick their bad habit. In Hungary a packet of cigarettes costs around 2 Euros. The average smoker buys a packet a day which comes to 730 Euros per year. Could you imagine , what you could do with all that money?Government intervention in the workplace close month while I was reading the newspaper, I came across this article Smoking is not allowed in any public places anymore. I found this ministerial decree, a very good decision, due to there being many smokers in my workplace. There is no assigned smoking area for them. As a consequence I ...

A Class Called Peer Listening :: Personal Narrative Education Essays

A Class Called Peer ListeningWalking into a class called Peer Listening can certainly give a high school student a unique impression. It was my senior year of high school and all I wanted to do was take unaffixed classes to finish off the year, and thats all I had heard about this class, no homework, its easy, a blow off class, so naturally it seemed to be the finished class. Mr. Bihl I had known for a year and I found him to be a genuinely interesting, understanding person. I walked in the classroom and took the nearest posture to the window side of the room and waited to see who else was in my class. Bill walked in the door, he was a hockey player, jock and all around high achiever. whence came Lauren who was in the same crowd as Bill, but with those who liked to live a little more dangerously. Many of them have been into drugs in the past. Next Michelle, who I have heard a lot of rumors about, she is only sixteen and living with her boyfriend in their own apartment. After a mi nute or two, some other kid named Bill strode through the door, he was an all around guy, he could fit into a group of people and manage to entertain them. Just as the bell rang, a girl named Nicole sat in the seat next to me. No one liked Nicole and I never really understood why. on that point were others that had come in, but most I didnt know. one time the bell had rung and I knew that none of my good friends were going to be in the class, the wave of panic washed over me. A whole semester of people I hardly knew. What a way to spend my senior year of high schoolOnce the class had started, there were only seventeen people. It was a very small class, compared to the rest of my classes, which pourboireped thirty students. The classroom itself was located just inside the chief(prenominal) hall leading to the entrance of the school. Room number 205. Inside, the classroom looked just like every other classroom in Clarkston High School, gray industrial carpeting speckled with bur gundy, forest green, and an array of other colors. The walls were cinderblocks painted a hideous shade of off white, and lacked decorations. A gray Formica counter top lined one side of the classroom, complete with cabinets above and below.

Uranus :: Essays Papers

Uranus2,870,990,000 km (19.218 AU) from the Sun, Uranus hangs on the wall of space as a mysterious blue green planet. With a mass of 8.683e25 kg and a diameter of 51,118 km at the equator, Uranus is the third largest planet in our solar system. It has been described as a planet that was slugged a few billion years ago by a large onrushing object, knocked down (never to get up), and now proceeds to roll around an 84-year orbit on its belly. As the strangest of the Jovian planets, the description is accurate. Uranus has a 17 hour and 14 minute day and takes 84 years to make its way about the fair weather with an axis tilted at around 90 with retrograde rotation. Stranger still is the fact that Uranus axis is almost parallel to the ecliptic, hence the expression on its belly. Uranus is so far away that scientists knew comparatively little about it before NASAs Voyager 2 undertook its historic first encounter with the planet. The spacecraft flew closely gone distant Uranus, and came within 81,500 kilometers (50,600 miles) of Uranuss cloudtops on Jan. 24, 1986. Voyager 2 radioed thousands of images and mass amounts of other scientific data about Uranus, its moons, rings, atmosphere, interior and magnetic environment. However, while Voyager has revealed much about the flatulence giant, many questions remain to be answered.The history of the planets discovery is the first we have of its kind Uranus was the first planet to be discovered with a telescope. The circumstances ring the discovery of the object are befitting of the odd planet. The earliest recorded sighting of Uranus was in 1690 by John Flamsteed, but the object was catalogued as some other star. On March 13, 1781 Uranus was sighted again by amateur stargazer William Herschel and thought to be a comet or nebulous star. In 1784, Jean-Dominique Cassini, director of the capital of France Observatory and prominent professional astronomer, made the following commentA discovery so unexpected coul d only have singular circumstances, for it was not due to an astronomer and the marvelous telescopewas not the work of an optician it is Mr. Herschel, a German musician, to whom we owe the knowledge of this seventh principal planet. (Hunt, 35)Four years passed before Uranus was recognized as a new planet, the first to be discovered in modern times.

The Development of Video Games Essay -- Technology, Arcade Games

In societys current era of technological advancement, video games keep gone a long way since they were first created. exposure games in the twenty-first century are no longer just toys or toss away in the lifestyles of the youth. They have become innovative inventions that not only entertain its users, but also help aid the people in both the faculty member field and in jobs. The influences that video games bring about in the culture of the youth today are, in fact, not the negative influences that most people think. Video games are actually this generations new medium for educating the youth. The information they learn are also mostly positive and useful things that they may accommodate in their future lives (Prensky 4). In a generation that revolves around technology and connectivity, developers and educators have already been able to produce fun and interesting games that can give lessons and train people. Video game developers and educators should continue to colla borate in order to create more positive, educational, and appealing games. Society in the 1980s saw games as distraction and a waste of time. Arcade games in 1981 were regarded as a reason for cutting classes. Children and the youth were banned from playing arcade games during school hours and recent ten in the evening on weekdays, and past midnight on weekends. Laws against children playing in arcades during the banned hours were implemented in order to prevent further disturbances in their studies (Kent 152). Games to the people in the 1980s were merely forms of entertainment that brought about many video game addicts. However, in the early 1980s video game consoles and private computers were globally popular. This was because most of the machines that had enough power to... ...design and use of learning games through promoting collaboration among scholars, teachers, developers, producers, and so on. LGN also hopes to educate the youth through well-designed and develope d educational games. They help arrange partnerships with developers, educators, and media specialists, and they try to expand the educational gaming field. Presently, video games arent merely toys that negatively influence the youth. They have become an alternative mover for people to learn and train for work. Games teach values and essential information, and motivate its players to achieve goals. Soldiers and doctors benefit from video games as well. The collaboration of game developers and educators helps improve the fiber of educational games. At present, as technology progresses, one can truly see that video games have become an important factor in learning.