245 research outputs found
Lotus and the Self-Representation of Afro-Asian Writers as the Vanguard of Modernity
No full textThis essay has two aims. The first is to show that the editors of Lotus: Afro-Asian Writings and some of the writers who contributed to it (especially Ismail Ezzedine, Anar Rzayev, Tawfick Zeyad, Abdel Aziz El-Ahwani, Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Alex La Guma, Adonis, Salah Dehni, Luis Bernardo Honwana, Ghassan Kanafany, and Tozaburo Ono) attempted to reconceive of nationalism in a way that would make international solidarity constitutive of the new national projects. It is argued that this is quite different from thinking of the contributors to Lotus as abandoning nationalism in favor of a supranationalist project. The second aim is to show that at least some of the contributors to Lotus thought of themselves as being the vanguard of modernity, and not as the creators of “alternative modernities”. This essay shows that some of the aforementioned contributors to Lotus implicitly drew on standpoint epistemology in order to argue that, due to their struggles against colonialism, racial discrimination, etc., they had a privileged epistemic vantage point from which to criticize modernity in its European form for not being modern enough
Deep-Sea Mining in the Pacific: Climate Justice, Ecocide, and Security in Nauru and Kiribati
No full textThis policy paper explores how the growing international controversy over deep-sea mining (DSM) can be addressed under the considerations of climate justice, through analyzing two case studies, Nauru and Kiribati, of Pacific islands. Both states are highly vulnerable to climate change and economic instability, yet have adopted different strategies. Nauru has improved and enhanced its DSM plans in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone to ensure its sovereign development rights and economic needs. On the other hand, Kiribati has taken more mechanisms that are cautious measures to temporary pause the DSM negotiations in response to public pressure and environmental concerns. These cases show the political, ethical, and ecological challenges that the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face. Thus, they must navigate these challenges to address both climate vulnerability and resource exploitation. The paper addresses the international actors; especially the International Seabed Authority and COP30 policymakers, to offer financial and legal policies that promote precautionary and community-driven seabed governance as well as prevent the new forms of ecocide. Finally, the paper will conclude with policy recommendations for domestic and international decision-makers, providing a temporary pause of climate-linked incentives for SIDS. These recommendations seek to align ocean protection with equitable and sustainable development. This policy paper contributes to the ongoing international efforts to integrate deep-sea mining regulation and laws into the current framework of global environmental justice and planetary security
Paulin J. Hountondji and the Defense of the Universal: An Interview with Carmen De Schryver (Part II)
No full textZeyad el Nabolsy: Hountondji, while critical of the ethnosciences, namely the study of things like “traditional” mathematical and astronomical knowledge from an anthropological perspective, does defend the importance of studying what he calls “endogenous knowledge”. Can you say something about this?
Carmen De Schryver: We should say something about his choice of the term “endogenous” over the term “indigenous”. He really wants to question the idea that, insofar as we are talking about African systems of knowledge, we are talking about “indigeneity” because of the connotations of that term, especially in the anthropological literature that he is responding to, with pre-modernity. The concept of “endogeneity”, by contrast, is really getting at the contrast, not between the indigenous and the modern, but between endogenous and exogenous, where it is a question of where do these systems of knowledge emanate from; are they in the first place of African providence? Are they imported from Europe? That is the key distinction for Hountondji, rather than this tradition-modernity distinction. This idea that something that is contemporaneous with European science is pre-modern is, I think, worth challenging
Zeyad at SemEval-2019 Task 6: That’s Offensive! An All-Out Search For An Ensemble To Identify And Categorize Offense in Tweets.
No full textUrban design in favor of human thermal comfort for hot arid climate using advanced simulation methods
No full textImproving outdoor human thermal comfort could be considered as one of the most important targets for achieving successful open space designs. In hot arid climate, residential neighborhoods are responsible for the high request of energy to provide cooling needs for the occupantsâ comfort. The main problem is the non-responsive contemporary urban design to human thermal comfort and energy. In this context, this paper aims at testing specific landscape parameters that could enhance outdoor human thermal comfort. The study is limited to the microclimate at urban open space and will be conducted in New Borg El-Arab (hot arid city according to Middleton and others [1], Alexandria, Egypt). The adopted methodology is based on the use of ENVI-met 4.0 software to measure four thermal indices (air temperature, relative humidity, MRT and PMV) and assess outdoor human thermal comfort in an existing neighborhood. In addition, different design scenarios that emphasize different landscape elements were also assessed. The results of this analysis depict changing street networks, landscape design and materials could enhance the level of thermal comfort in the urban open spaces. Keywords: Thermal comfort, Urban design, Hot arid climate, Simulation methods, Envi-me
الاثار الصحية و الاجتماعية لمكب نفايات دير البلح (قطاع غزة - فلسطين)
No full textThis research aims to study sanitary and social effect of Dear El Balah Landfill which designed by a linear system for protection groundwater from pollution. Questionnaire was prepared for farmers and people living near landfill, water samples were collected from private wells surrounding landfill and analyzed (private wells). Chemical parameters of Leachate such as ammonium NH4, BOD, COD indicates reducing of organic wastes or presence of toxic materials that inhibit activity of microorganisms. Therefore landfill is in a final age and must be closed. On other side these of landfill parameters may indicate that using the second phase after first phase is filled. Chloride and electrical conductivity (EC) at sampling wells are high .On 2003 and 2005 the data showed the same elevation values of Cl and EC. On other side values of EC and Cl on 2008 and 2009 at all wells in middle area of Gaza Strip were also high. We are not sure that elevation is due to landfill, because no historical data to compare. Nitrate concentration are relatively acceptable to WHO standards except for well (7) is high due to agriculture practical in Dear Al Balah area. It has been noticed that 25% of olive farms surrounding the study area showed fungal spots on leaves, fruits and/or all the plant parts. The study indicated that milk production and poultry production were reduced by 12% as consequences of the landfill in the study area. The results showed that farmers bothering of presence of landfill especially the effect of insects and rodents on their agriculture crops. Also unpleasant smell especially that produced from fires that took place inside landfill, in addition floods of Leachate at their lands
The role of adaptive design in the urban revival. How could the urban neighbourhood or the building improved and rehabitated ?
No full textLAUREA MAGISTRALEIl processo è fondamentalmente un'analisi strategica del caso studiato del processo di riabilitazione urbana e architettonica effettuato in un contesto simile in luoghi diversi. Come Como Aero pianifica un club, studiando come il contesto, la posizione e la comunità potrebbero influenzare il modo in cui funziona il nostro ambiente.
L'idea principale era quella di trovare un contesto comparabile in cui fosse possibile integrare una metodologia di successo da attuare al fine di ottenere un successo simile a un caso analogo in Egitto.
Il processo di progettazione mira principalmente a ridurre al minimo l'impatto della deformazione, studiando più l'atteggiamento e le reazioni della comunità verso interventi specifici e limitati per creare il miglioramento migliore e più realizzabile nella posizione del progetto proposto.
Il progetto è partito dall'attuale edificio e dalla situazione circostante, è stata condotta un'analisi integrativa del progetto in cui l'osservazione della posta si basava fondamentalmente attorno all'intima relazione esistente tra l'edificio e gli usi quotidiani della comunità in spazi sia pubblici che semi pubblici relativi all'attuale funziona come un posto per aerei e attività sociali.
Attraverso la ricerca approfondita di come potrebbe posizionare, lo Spazio e la comunità potrebbero modellare il modello umano quotidiano della vita. È stato implementato un approccio adattativo integrativo in cui i legami sociali in comunità giocano una regola importante nella definizione dei bisogni e degli usi del processo di ristrutturazione degli edifici. dalle sue attività attuali e di recente aggiunta.
Il progetto considerava le attività correnti in cui l'edificio era effettivamente attivo, in tale attività veniva utilizzato un motivo auto-innescato per attivare il senso sociale della comunità di como, quella comunità che era sempre attaccata alle sue grandi abitudini radicate. questi costumi che unificano le nostre comunità e costruiscono le sue caratteristiche con il suo speciale senso di intimità verso il proprio patrimonio.The process basically is a strategic analysis of the studied case of urban and architectural rehabilitation process carried out in a similar context within different location. As Como Aero plan club, studying how could the context, location and community could affect how our environment works.
The main idea was to find a comparable context in which we could integrate successful methodology to be implemented in order to achieve a similar success to an existing similar case in Egypt.
The design process mainly aims at minimizing the deformation impact, studying more the attitude and community reactions towards specific and limited intervention to create the best and most achievable enhancement into the location of the proposed project.
The design started from the current building and surrounding situation, an integrative design analysis has been carried out in which the mail observation where basically revolving around the existing intimate relation between the building and daily community uses in both public and semi public spaces related to its current function as a place for airplanes and social related activities.
Through the deep research of how could place, Space and community could shape out daily human pattern of life.an integrative adaptive approach was implemented in which the social in community ties play a major rule in defining the needs and uses of the building renovation process weather from its current and newly add activities.
The design considered the current activities in which the building was actually active, in such activity a self- triggered motive was used to activate the social sense of community of como, that community who been always attached to its great strong root customs. these customs that unifies our communities and builds its characteristics with its special sense of intimacy towards thri own heritage
Applying 3D Printing as a New Building Technology: Potentials and Challenges in the Egyptian Context
No full textIn the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the world of architecture and construction is being changed by new technologies with opportunities and limitations. Large-scale 3D printing (3DP) technology has recently been introduced as a new building technology to improve productivity and quality. Recently, worldwide stakeholders started experimenting with the technology substitute of traditional. This is due to achieve potentials benefits, such as increased accuracy, customisation, and design flexibility. Additionally, it reduces wasted material, costs, manpower, and printing time. However, these initial investigations are very fragmented at the time of the study. There are different views on where technology can be directed and a large gap between ideas and their applications. 3D printers will be used primarily to print buildings for low-income housing and emergency housing in developing countries such as Egypt, while most of the buildings that have been built were executed in developed countries. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the international applications and challenges of 3D printing. This paper was set out to give insight into applying 3D printing as a new building technology on an international scale and assessing the applicability potentials and challenges in the Egyptian context; through 1. gathering and analysis of documents and references of opportunities and limitations of 3D printing factors(design, environmental, social, and economical); 2. qualitative data analysis.The descriptive study of international examples outlines the factors used to assess the international examples with anassessment matrix and analysethem within the Egyptian context. It shows that projects divide internationally into projects which invest in optimising the performance and others which are optimising the production according to different characterisations. There are greatpotentials of using 3D printing in Egypt, but it needs to be adapted to numerous challenges in achievingits maximum potential
Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Desalinated Drinking Water at Gaza City Schools, Palestine
No full textGaza strip has very limited water resources. Groundwater is the main source for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes. Over abstraction of the groundwater had led to sea water intrusion which increases salinity of the groundwater by time. Water resources are deteriorating in terms of quantities and quality which led to the establishment of small business scale desalination plants to treat and distribute desalinated water by trucks for most of Gaza strip areas including schools. The aims of this research are to check if there is microbiological contamination at desalinated water at Gaza city schools, to determine the source of contamination if any, and to determine the difference between drinking water microbiological quality between schools moderated by Ministry of High Education (MOHE) and schools moderated by United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Some of 130 school buildings have been selected and the data evaluated for the periods from the school year 2008-2009 to 2010-2011. Results indicated a microbiological contamination in the desalination plants inlet and in schools water tanks. The microbiological safety of desalinated drinking water at Gaza city schools has improved in the last three school years (2008-2009 to 2010-2011). It is noticed that the weakness of monitoring program of desalinated drinking water leads to a higher contaminated schools ratio. The well maintenance of the desalination plant leads to keep the product of the plant safe and well accepted. When the inlet of the plant was contaminated the UV unit helped to kill the source of contamination, and the chlorination process insures the safety of the plant product. About 11.8% of Gaza city students noticed that there is no cover for the drinking tank, 28.6% of these students noticed birds standing on tank's upper hole, which may lead to a serious cause of animal source contamination. At school year 2010-2011, about 23.8% of monitored schools at East directorate were contaminated before follow-up process. Nearly 20.8% of monitored schools at West were contaminated. But 56.5% of monitored schools at UNRWA were contaminated. The believed reason of high contamination percent of UNRWA schools is that their monitoring program is new and need to be upgraded. Contaminated schools ratio has decreased after follow-up process, this enforces follow-up importance. Contaminated schools after follow-up were 19.0% at East, 15.1% at West. UNRWA did not apply follow-up process. At the same school year (2010-2011), disinfected schools percentage because of the follow-up process was 20.0% in East and 27.3% in the West
تقييم جودة الهواء في الجامعة الاسلامية
No full textIndoor environmental quality is one of the most important factors that affect the residents of the indoor locations, and IUG is considered as a leader in the pursuit of providing satisfaction for workers. This study aims to identify the impact of the elements of indoor environmental quality on the employees of the Islamic University and to compare these elements with the international recognized standards. This study was conducted on 22 rooms within IUG, where employees spend more 7 hours in their offices during three seasons: winter, spring (the second semester) and summer, in two stages, the first stage: field work, by measuring the concentration of CO2, CO, HR, T, PM and noise by using the relevant devices, the second stage: designing a questionnaire for exploring the extent of the impact of these factors on the employees working indoors. The study shows the following results: 80% of IUG employees are satisfied with thermal comfort and the concentration of CO is appropriate and less than the standards (9ppm). CO2 is high in the rooms that rely on centralized air conditioning, and there is a negative relationship between the ventilation ratio and the concentration of CO2. There is a significant statistical difference between CO2 measurements according to seasons, also, the PM where its concentration is higher than the USAEPA Standards. Moreover, the student's movement on carpeted floors increases the ratio of the concentration of particulate matter in the closed rooms. The noise level is high in the university rooms especially in the summer (66.35 dB), and there is a significant statistical difference between noise measurements according to level floors only, also, openning windows and fans increase the proportion of sound level inside rooms in summer. 50% of IUG employees feel with general comfort in their work places, but 46% need some changes in their office to feel comfort. So, 96% of IUG employees were feeling with general comfort inside their offices. The university employees felt the symptoms of health issues related to carbon dioxide concentration and the particles matter. The study concluded that the environmental indoor quality parameters are varied inside the rooms of the university and the environmental awareness of these factors and their effect need to be enforced
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