absolutely!  In some ways there is a real interest in looking at participation to improve decision making in a purely managerialist sense.  

On the other, the CCP decides something will happen and does it - eg Shanghai putting in 13 railway lines for the 2010 expo, wholesale removal of people on the expo site - and you don't get to debate that at all.

and periodically someone who 'goes to far' gets locked up when someone else who said exactly the same thinng doesm't, 'pour encourager les autres'.....

if will be a fascinating PhD in a fascinating period of China's development

Peter North
Department of Geography
School for Environmental Sciences
University of Liverpool
0151 794 2849

Building the Low Carbon Economy on Merseyside

www.lowcarbonliverpool.com

www.liv.ac.uk/geography/research/lowcarboneconomy/index.htm

Local Money

http://greenbooks.co.uk/store/local-money-p-320.html?osCsid=53cafffb104745d08678d499c824626e

________________________________________
From: svenja meyerricks [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 08 November 2010 02:05
To: Discussion list on participatory geographies; North, Peter
Subject: Re: PhD opportunity UK/China on participation

Thanks - whilst I don't know how this PhD will develop, it raises interesting
questions about what is meant by 'participation' in the light of the recent
state of China's urban regeneration practices, as exemplified in this image:
http://www.zillow.com/blog/files/2007/07/nail-house.jpg

article here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/a-chinese-mans-home-is-his-castle-kung-fu-master-keeps-bailiffs-at-bay-in-the-siege-of-chongqing-442550.html

(the house appears to since have been demolished)

All the best,

Svenja



Quoting "North, Peter" <[log in to unmask]>:

> Here's an interesting opportunity in the curent situation to push things in
> an interesting way, for the right student.
>
> Pete
>
> PhD Studentship
>
> PhD studentship in the area of: urban regeneration in China, public
> participation
>
> Department of Civic Design
> Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)
> and
> Department of Geography, Department of Architecture, University of Liverpool
> (UoL)
>
> We welcome proposals for PhD research (to start March 2011) examining issues
> regarding participation in China’s urban regeneration process. Student
> doctoral research will primarily be based at XJTLU, but the research will
> also be mentored by supervisors at the University of Liverpool, in
> collaboration with the XJTLU supervisor. The PhD degree will be awarded on
> satisfactory completion by the University of Liverpool.
>
> Research Topics
> Effective public participation is a key to sustainable urban regeneration,
> however its importance is often neglected in practice in China.  Given the
> effectiveness of participatory approaches in contributing to better policy
> making and to the effective delivery of regeneration on the ground, China
> could benefit from understanding its potential. The departments in the two
> universities have done extensive research on this subject in the UK and
> European context. We now want to extend our research to cover  China, because
> of the huge scale of urban regeneration undergoing in this country.
>
> Precise details of the focus of the research will be developed during year
> one by the student with support from their supervisors.  At this stage we are
> seeking outline proposals (750 words) and an indicative bibliography (6-10
> references) indicating a preferred research focus.
>
> PhD Studentship Details
> This PhD will be administered by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. The
> student's main supervisor will be based at XJTLU. Part of the PhD may be
> spent working with co-supervisors at the UoL and doing research in Liverpool.
> The research will include fieldwork in China and the UK.
>
> Entry Criteria
> Candidates would normally be expected to have a Masters in a relevant
> discipline of social sciences or humanities e.g. urban planning, geography,
> architecture, social or/and cultural studies (minimum 60% or international
> equivalent).  However first degree holders with a first class honours will
> also be considered. Candidates must be fluent in Mandarin and English (IELTS
> 6.5 or equivalent).
>
> Award
> Tuition fees (up to 50,000 RMB annually, equivalently about £4,700). Renewal
> each year (for 3 years) will be dependent upon satisfactory progress.
> Funding may be available for additional living and research costs in the UK
> and China.
>
> Further information - how to apply
>
> Please submit the following to [log in to unmask] (Secretary of the
> Department of Civic Design, XJTLU)
> •     Full CV, including names and contact details of two academic referees.
> •     Research proposal (750 words max)
> •     Personal statement (500 words max) outlining suitability, what you hope to
> achieve from the PhD, academic or research experience to date.
> •     If English is not your first language then evidence should be supplied that
> meets the minimum English language requirements ((IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).
>
> Informal enquiries may be directed by email to:
>
> Dr Xiaonan Zhang, Department of Civic Design, Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool
> University, e-mail [log in to unmask]
> Completed applications should be received no later than:  30th November 2010
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Peter North
> Department of Geography
> School for Environmental Sciences
> University of Liverpool
> 0151 794 2849
>
> Building the Low Carbon Economy on Merseyside
>
> www.lowcarbonliverpool.com
>
> www.liv.ac.uk/geography/research/lowcarboneconomy/index.htm
>
> Local Money
>
>
http://greenbooks.co.uk/store/local-money-p-320.html?osCsid=53cafffb104745d08678d499c824626e
>


--

svenja meyerricks
phd student
st andrews sustainability institute
schools of management, geography & psychology
university of st andrews
irvine building, north street
st andrews, KY16 9AL
fife, scotland


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