Stories about Development from March, 2007
Russia: Photos of Grozny
Earlier this week, I linked to LJ user kunstkamera‘s photos from Grozny, Chechnya. (Warning: bandwidth intensive.) Below are some of the comments and kunstkamera‘s own remarks, translated from Russian. gematogen: Was it scary? kunstkamera: It was scary to fly the [YaK-42] plane. […] i_grappa: It's interesting, thank you! In general,...
Chile, Costa Rica: “Un Computador por Niño”
Ricardo Carreón, General Manager of Intel for Latin America, describes a pilot test of Classmate PC (“laptop for kids in emerging markets”) that he attended in Costa Rica with Intel CEO Craig R. Barret. On a related note, Carreón points us to a collection of YouTube videos about Chile's “Un...
Antigua: Human Rights Treaty
A new human rights treaty protecting the rights of persons with disabilities opens for signing today at the United Nations and Talk Antigua thinks it is a significant development: “How we as a progressive Caribbean people continue to treat such persons, will be the measure of our human development.”
Anguilla: Constitutional Reform
Don Mitchell at Corruption-Free Anguilla was invited by the Members of the House of Assembly to lead them through the Report of the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Commission as Anguilla begins the process of constitutional reform: “It is the consensus view that emerges from the series of public meetings that...
China: Nation's first citizen reporter?
Meet Zola Zhou, independent citizen reporter, blogging live from the nailhouse. But is Zola really China's first citizen reporter? Big-name bloggers like Herock, Doubleleaf and Zhan Bin say he is. Out of what Zola says is a ‘sensitivity to news’ and desire for fame, on Monday afternoon he hopped on...
India, Bangladesh: Lessons from Nandigram
Unheard Voices takes a look at the violence in Nandigram in India. “What is remarkable in this tragedy is the arrogant attitudes and brutal actions of a government that is democratically-elected and that is filled with nominal socialists and communists. In true deshi fashion, the police forces’ brutality has been...
China: blogger's report on nail house
A young blogger Zola travelled to Chongqing to report on the “Nail House” issue (zh) and came up with a series of report (already 4 posts). His trip was sponsored by other bloggers.
Bangladesh: Development Against All Odds
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Bideshi Blond provides the relevant statistics proving the claim. Being a developing country with limited resources it is really tough to take the country forward. No wonder many development activities are being carried out by the government and...
Hong Kong: Government Theme Park
Simon blogs the 4 government building models released yesterday. The government has invited the public to vote: So you can't vote for who sits in the place but you can vote on what they sit in.
Africa: we should all wear sacks and cover ourselves in ash
A thought provoking piece by Dennis Matanda at the Sub-Saharan Africa Roundtable, Africans: A race that got lost a long time ago: “And in response to Koluki’s www.africanpath.com’s article on ‘Are We Losing the Plot?’ my answer is a resounding YES. I will even dare to go further by saying...
Hong Kong: Queen's Pier
Simon world has an update on the preservation plan of the Queen's Pier: a roadside Pier. Over the Rainbow explains the reason why Hong Kong architects insist to keep the Pier in Situ is because of the symbolism in its spatial relation with the city hall (zh).
Belize: Flush and Be Happy
“I always feel relieved in more ways than one when, after long travels, I once again visit a public toilet in Belize.” Simone Angel thinks all the bells and whistles of “top of the range” toilets are a symbol of progress gone mad: “Progress is not always about going faster...
China: World Factory?
Jacky and EPIN have translated a post from China Labour Watch on a Japanese businessman views China.
Syrian Blogsphere on Culture: Old Damascus Campaign, Norouz Day and “Tleebeh”
In this past week, most of the Syrian blogsphere was busy sponsoring yet another campaign in favor of saving what's left of the world's oldest continuously inhabited city, Damascus. The new plans that the Damascus City Counsel is trying to put to effect, include bulldozing two historic souqs (bazaars), Souq...
Burkina Faso: woodless construction
Under the Acacias writes about woodless construction in Burkina Faso, “Woodless construction is an approach to building in the sahel that uses traditional building techniques to build houses entirely out of mud, including the roof. Such houses save on scarce wood, encourage local industry by using local skills and materials,...
Africa: China's Africa interest not neo-colonial
China does not seek economic and political control of Africa: “IT’S ironic that some Western countries which are former colonial powers have accused China of pushing a “neo-colonialism” policy in its trade with Africa. The accusations of “China’s neo-colonialism in Africa” simply lack basis in fact,” via Afroshangai blog.
Kuwait: A Week Goes by
The Kuwaiti blogosphere has it all this week – from business developments to the opening of a new mall, the death of a bookshop and segregation at Kuwait University. Q, back at Kuwaitism, talks about the shift of business power and how other businesses around the Gulf region are acting....
Dubai: Air-Conditioned Bus Stops Delayed
“Bad news for bus travellers in Dubai, who were looking forward to the installation of 500 air-conditioned bus stops before the brutal summer heat hits us. It's reported that they will miss the deadline for installation due to “operational delays” – whatever that means,” writes Dubai-based blogger Seabee. “This summer,...
Cayman Islands: Plight of the Disabled
Mighty Afroditee shares her thoughts on the plight of the disabled: “My environment needs further education and enlightenment…if buildings and sidewalks are not properly outfitted for handicap access…then we are taking away the ability of those with special needs to be independent.”
China: Homeowners hold their ground
How does China's landmark, much-blogged about new property law relate to the average citizen? An illustration comes with the decision by two residents of central China's Chongqing Municipality to hold their ground when the land upon which the house they purchased had been sold, then dug up, by a developer...
India: Development of Choor Dhar Hills
myHimachal on an effort by citizens for local development. “Setting a rare example of ‘peoples action for the development’ by crossing all the social, cultural and area boundaries , thousands of resident of Himchal Pradesh and Uttrakhand have joined hands to develop Choor Dhar Hills known as heaven of adventure...
