title: Hamilton East: Interpretation of house styles and infilling the one acre sections

authors: Porteous, Diana Lesley

subjects: Historical geography

abstract: This thesis elucidates and interprets the social construction of an inner city suburb of Hamilton. Hamilton East was originally surveyed as a military settlement in 1864. The provenance of house styles is examined in the context of particular periods of time, and six commonly constructed period-styles are identified. These are nineteenth century houses, villas, bungalows, standard New Zealand houses, flats, and variations on old themes. In the context of changes in subdivision design since the original survey, three questions related to the location of these houses are addressed. These are: why, where and how was a tiny township infilled with houses to the density of the present suburb? This thesis focuses on the identification and interpretation of meanings implied in house styles and infilling processes.
The conditions which determined and contributed to the period-styles in popular housing are explored in detail. The significance of meaning in the built environment is a vital and recurring theme. Housing acts as a form of non-verbal communication. Each period-style functions as a set of symbols. The sign value of a house style is its meaning as a symbol of something else. The meaning functions like a code, shared by the people of the community, and changes over time.
Socio-cultural influences include practical and economic considerations. Fashion, demands for decorated or non-decorated architecture, trends in high style architecture, changing lifestyles, changing attitudes to families, and households are identified as determinants of style. The importance of cultural diffusion from the Old and the New Worlds, and increasing and accelerating internationalism are clearly evident in the human landscape. Local and national State intervention in the provision of housing contributed significantly to specific period-styles. Technical innovations have not determined, but have influenced housing styles. They include the available construction materials, and developments associated with the 'machine age' and the production of new materials.
The infilling of the original one acre rectangular allotments, with new housing between the settler cottages is explored under five period headings. These are the nineteenth century, the villa period, the bungalow period, the standard New Zealand house period, and the last two decades. Infilling brought a gradual intensification of housing with time and an interesting pastiche of juxtaposed houses. The evolution of the pattern of survey and subdivision is traced from the 1864 surveyed design to the present day pattern. Based on tradition and statute, concerted division created smaller and smaller rectangular sections.
The research has drawn upon four forms of data: literature, field data, maps photographs and files, and informal contact with members of the local community. Every one of the more than 2000 houses and flats in the suburb was surveyed for age, style, and other characteristics. Valuation New Zealand files, survey plans, many other historical and contemporary maps, aerial photographs, old photographs, statutes and trade directories were used to compile a detailed record about each of the more than 50 residential blocks, comprising nearly 400 acres (162 hectares) of land.
Hamilton East may be seen as a microcosm of New Zealand experience in its subdivision design, road patterns, the processes of infilling and house styles. The provenance of the stylistic and spatial characteristics of housing and sections is articulated as human constructions, determined not by physical circumstances but by people.

text: Hamilton East: Interpretation of house styles and infilling the one acre sections This thesis elucidates and interprets the social construction of an inner city suburb of Hamilton. Hamilton East was originally surveyed as a military settlement in 1864. The provenance of house styles is examined in the context of particular periods of time, and six commonly constructed period-styles are identified. These are nineteenth century houses, villas, bungalows, standard New Zealand houses, flats, and variations on old themes. In the context of changes in subdivision design since the original survey, three questions related to the location of these houses are addressed. These are: why, where and how was a tiny township infilled with houses to the density of the present suburb? This thesis focuses on the identification and interpretation of meanings implied in house styles and infilling processes.
The conditions which determined and contributed to the period-styles in popular housing are explored in detail. The significance of meaning in the built environment is a vital and recurring theme. Housing acts as a form of non-verbal communication. Each period-style functions as a set of symbols. The sign value of a house style is its meaning as a symbol of something else. The meaning functions like a code, shared by the people of the community, and changes over time.
Socio-cultural influences include practical and economic considerations. Fashion, demands for decorated or non-decorated architecture, trends in high style architecture, changing lifestyles, changing attitudes to families, and households are identified as determinants of style. The importance of cultural diffusion from the Old and the New Worlds, and increasing and accelerating internationalism are clearly evident in the human landscape. Local and national State intervention in the provision of housing contributed significantly to specific period-styles. Technical innovations have not determined, but have influenced housing styles. They include the available construction materials, and developments associated with the 'machine age' and the production of new materials.
The infilling of the original one acre rectangular allotments, with new housing between the settler cottages is explored under five period headings. These are the nineteenth century, the villa period, the bungalow period, the standard New Zealand house period, and the last two decades. Infilling brought a gradual intensification of housing with time and an interesting pastiche of juxtaposed houses. The evolution of the pattern of survey and subdivision is traced from the 1864 surveyed design to the present day pattern. Based on tradition and statute, concerted division created smaller and smaller rectangular sections.
The research has drawn upon four forms of data: literature, field data, maps photographs and files, and informal contact with members of the local community. Every one of the more than 2000 houses and flats in the suburb was surveyed for age, style, and other characteristics. Valuation New Zealand files, survey plans, many other historical and contemporary maps, aerial photographs, old photographs, statutes and trade directories were used to compile a detailed record about each of the more than 50 residential blocks, comprising nearly 400 acres (162 hectares) of land.
Hamilton East may be seen as a microcosm of New Zealand experience in its subdivision design, road patterns, the processes of infilling and house styles. The provenance of the stylistic and spatial characteristics of housing and sections is articulated as human constructions, determined not by physical circumstances but by people.

year: 1991

title: Cognitive genre prototype modelling and its implications for the teaching of academic writing to learners of English as a second language

authors: Bruce, Ian

abstract: The overall aim of this research project is to identify and analyse recurring prototypical discourse patterns in academic writing in English in order to inform the teaching of writing for academic purposes to non English-speaking background (NESB) students. 

Chapter 1 presents the motivation for the thesis, and outlines the aims, objectives, and research methods. Two concepts for the classification of discourse are proposed cognitive genre and social genre. In relation to the former, four prototypes (termed Rhetorical Types), characteristic of written academic discourse, are identified. 

Chapter 2 reviews a number of approaches to the categorisation of discourse, beginning with classical rhetoric, and tracing the progress of discourse-classification constructs over time, focusing primarily on cognitive rather than social genre.

Chapter 3 critically reviews recent pedagogic approaches to the classification of extended written discourse in terms of social genre. These focus, at a macro-level, on overall organisational structure and, at a micro-level, on linguistic features. It is concluded that any adequate construct for classifying extended written discourse also needs to involve cognitive frameworks that organise knowledge (see Chapter 4).

Chapter 4 reviews cognitive approaches to the classification of knowledge and seeks to establish the centrality of knowledge-organising prototypes and prototype-internal, procedural knowledge and to relate these to the cognitive organisation of written discourse.

Chapter 5 proposes a cognitive model for the organisation of procedural knowledge in written academic discourse in English. On the basis of this model, four types of cognitive genre (referred to here as Rhetorical Types) commonly drawn upon in the structuring of academic discourse are discussed. They are: Report, Explanation, Recount, and Discussion. The relationship between the Rhetorical Type construct (as a cognitive genre) and the concept of social genre is also discussed.

Chapter 6 examines each aspect of the Rhetorical Type model proposed earlier (see Chapter 5) in terms of its occurrence in a corpus of academic texts and by reference to sample texts from the corpus. 

Chapter 7 reports on two studies. The first involves examining samples of native-speaker and non-native-speaker writing in terms of the model proposed in Chapters 5 and 6. In the second, the model ratings of a small number of scripts (from the first study) are compared with grades assigned to the same scripts by two expert raters unfamiliar with the model.

Chapter 8 provides an overview of the research, and discusses its implications for the teaching and learning of English as a second language.

text: Cognitive genre prototype modelling and its implications for the teaching of academic writing to learners of English as a second language The overall aim of this research project is to identify and analyse recurring prototypical discourse patterns in academic writing in English in order to inform the teaching of writing for academic purposes to non English-speaking background (NESB) students. 

Chapter 1 presents the motivation for the thesis, and outlines the aims, objectives, and research methods. Two concepts for the classification of discourse are proposed cognitive genre and social genre. In relation to the former, four prototypes (termed Rhetorical Types), characteristic of written academic discourse, are identified. 

Chapter 2 reviews a number of approaches to the categorisation of discourse, beginning with classical rhetoric, and tracing the progress of discourse-classification constructs over time, focusing primarily on cognitive rather than social genre.

Chapter 3 critically reviews recent pedagogic approaches to the classification of extended written discourse in terms of social genre. These focus, at a macro-level, on overall organisational structure and, at a micro-level, on linguistic features. It is concluded that any adequate construct for classifying extended written discourse also needs to involve cognitive frameworks that organise knowledge (see Chapter 4).

Chapter 4 reviews cognitive approaches to the classification of knowledge and seeks to establish the centrality of knowledge-organising prototypes and prototype-internal, procedural knowledge and to relate these to the cognitive organisation of written discourse.

Chapter 5 proposes a cognitive model for the organisation of procedural knowledge in written academic discourse in English. On the basis of this model, four types of cognitive genre (referred to here as Rhetorical Types) commonly drawn upon in the structuring of academic discourse are discussed. They are: Report, Explanation, Recount, and Discussion. The relationship between the Rhetorical Type construct (as a cognitive genre) and the concept of social genre is also discussed.

Chapter 6 examines each aspect of the Rhetorical Type model proposed earlier (see Chapter 5) in terms of its occurrence in a corpus of academic texts and by reference to sample texts from the corpus. 

Chapter 7 reports on two studies. The first involves examining samples of native-speaker and non-native-speaker writing in terms of the model proposed in Chapters 5 and 6. In the second, the model ratings of a small number of scripts (from the first study) are compared with grades assigned to the same scripts by two expert raters unfamiliar with the model.

Chapter 8 provides an overview of the research, and discusses its implications for the teaching and learning of English as a second language.

year: 2003

title: Contextualizing street homelessness in New Zealand: A case study approach

authors: Groot, Shiloh Ann Maree

subjects: homelessness

abstract: Homelessness is commonly associated with large urban settings. For people who sleep on the streets it encompasses experiences of stigma, regulation and displacement, marginalization, violence, loneliness, and bodily decline. This thesis addresses the lack of research into the everyday practices of homeless people in New Zealand through a detailed exploration of the experiences of four homeless people. Through critically engaging with relevant scholarly literature this study documents the importance of human fortitude, agency, and meaningful social engagements in the lives of homeless people. Attention is given to how four homeless people (Brett, Daniel, Joshua and Ariā) construct place-based identities and the relational, spatial and material dimensions of homelessness, which are central to participants’ everyday lives. Participants were recruited through experienced community workers at the Auckland City Mission. A case-based ethnographic approach was used to engage with participants through volunteer work, direct observations, biographical interviews, photo-production projects, and photo-elicitation interviews. Workshops with staff on each case study were conducted to bridge the divide between critical scholars and community groups through advocacy and joint action. The analysis considers each case in turn. Brett differentiates himself from other homeless people and works to find space for himself to gain respite and solitude. Daniel engages in domestic practices on the streets that are commonly associated with home-making, such as decorating a physical space with personal objects and cultivating a sense of place, routine, comfort, and familiarity. Joshua immerses himself in a street family and forms close relationships with other homeless people that provide him with a sense of belonging, purpose, connection, support and responsibility. Ariā exemplifies how Māori cultural practices can enrich and mould a person’s efforts to retain a positive sense of self while homeless. Māori cultural concepts relating to caring, leadership, unity, relationships, spirituality, history and place are evoked to ground understandings of Ariā’s everyday life. Strategies for making a life on the streets involves Brett, Daniel, Joshua and Ariā working to maintain a sense of self and place in the face of adversity. A core finding from this research relates to the resilience of these participants, which spans personal and relational dimensions and extends to the social and physical environment.

text: Contextualizing street homelessness in New Zealand: A case study approach Homelessness is commonly associated with large urban settings. For people who sleep on the streets it encompasses experiences of stigma, regulation and displacement, marginalization, violence, loneliness, and bodily decline. This thesis addresses the lack of research into the everyday practices of homeless people in New Zealand through a detailed exploration of the experiences of four homeless people. Through critically engaging with relevant scholarly literature this study documents the importance of human fortitude, agency, and meaningful social engagements in the lives of homeless people. Attention is given to how four homeless people (Brett, Daniel, Joshua and Ariā) construct place-based identities and the relational, spatial and material dimensions of homelessness, which are central to participants’ everyday lives. Participants were recruited through experienced community workers at the Auckland City Mission. A case-based ethnographic approach was used to engage with participants through volunteer work, direct observations, biographical interviews, photo-production projects, and photo-elicitation interviews. Workshops with staff on each case study were conducted to bridge the divide between critical scholars and community groups through advocacy and joint action. The analysis considers each case in turn. Brett differentiates himself from other homeless people and works to find space for himself to gain respite and solitude. Daniel engages in domestic practices on the streets that are commonly associated with home-making, such as decorating a physical space with personal objects and cultivating a sense of place, routine, comfort, and familiarity. Joshua immerses himself in a street family and forms close relationships with other homeless people that provide him with a sense of belonging, purpose, connection, support and responsibility. Ariā exemplifies how Māori cultural practices can enrich and mould a person’s efforts to retain a positive sense of self while homeless. Māori cultural concepts relating to caring, leadership, unity, relationships, spirituality, history and place are evoked to ground understandings of Ariā’s everyday life. Strategies for making a life on the streets involves Brett, Daniel, Joshua and Ariā working to maintain a sense of self and place in the face of adversity. A core finding from this research relates to the resilience of these participants, which spans personal and relational dimensions and extends to the social and physical environment.

year: 2010