Browsing by Author "Ngo, Hieu Van"
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- ItemOpen AccessProfessional re-entry for foreign-trained immigrants: a grounded theory study(2001) Ngo, Hieu Van; Este, David
- ItemOpen AccessSustainability, Neighborhoods, and Urban Design: A Holistic Approach to Place-making(2018-04-25) Alinaghi Pour, Sara; Sinclair, Brian R.; Lee, Tang Gim; Harris, George; Ngo, Hieu Van; Macleod, DouglasThe first and foremost goal for the present dissertation is to invent and introduce an interconnected policy model for sustainable urban planning by proposing holistic and integrated approaches that consider the whole system of planning together to achieve our goals. The overarching question is: How can we use the best possible approach to create great neighborhoods that are sustainable, livable, and complete? The design and planning process for creating complete communities requires critical understanding and analytical perspectives of both architectural aspects and urban planning visions. The construction and provision of different housing options, local businesses, and amenities to provide a resilient city is important. In such a city, there is a well-designed and well-functioning built form that supports health and public life with enough connections by bicycle, foot, public transit, and vehicle to all destinations, including local amenities, work places, learning centers, open spaces, recreation areas, and other services. With this purpose in mind, this project has used mixed research techniques (literature review, case studies, and embedded researcher experience) to investigate the research question. To validate the research results and propose a holistic model, the results of each case study have been tested and compared in the last pages of each case study chapter. This research claims that the effective elements in creating sustainable urban plans are repeated in different geographical locations (no matter in which continent they are located) with a variety of climatic situations, ethnicities, and cultural values among people. Specifically, research discoveries prove that different organizations need to collaborate with each other to provide a stronger and more robust sustainable city evolution for the future. Additionally, research shows that policy makers and planners as professionals have important roles in creating an integrated approach to urban planning, improving existing ideas, strengthening communication and collaboration among various sectors, and enhancing policy developments and implementations. The research findings are valid and hold promise for application in cities that desire to become sustainable (with more efficient use of resources) and to provide a compelling response to sustainability initiatives.
- ItemOpen AccessThe Invisible and the Visible: Understanding Intercultural Friendships of Chinese Immigrant Youth(2018-01-25) Feng, Xiaohong; Lund, Darren E.; Cappello, Michael; Ngo, Hieu Van; DePass, Cecille Marie; Burwell, CatherineThis research, a critical ethnographic case study of a western city in Canada, explored the visible and hidden barriers young Chinese immigrants face when forming and developing friendships with non-immigrant peers. Qualitative data collection methods included 74 interviews with Chinese immigrant youth (16- to 18-year-old newcomers, Generation 1.5, and Generation 2), their parents, and teachers; school and home observations; documents; and autoethnography. By employing the theoretical perspective of postcolonial theories, critical pedagogy, and acculturation to contextualize the historical impact of social inequalities, cultural hegemony, and linguistic dominance, the research revealed the lived experiences of the marginalized in schools and sought both to disrupt hidden forms of racism and to build bridges for sociocultural integration in schools. The research presented here recognizes the dynamic dialectic nature of intercultural friendship-building set within a pluralistic world that is in cultural and social conflict. Barriers to intercultural relationships fall into three main categories: (a) cross-cultural exclusions, including polite exclusion, lack of acceptance, ignorance due to lack of contact, bullying, intangible psychological distance, and local cultural superiority; (b) family cultural influence, including parental ideologies, educational beliefs and values, and survival pressures; and (c) beyond cultural differences, including parents’ inability to be role models, curricular content, teaching strategies, and the hidden curriculum. Given the diversity of Canadian classrooms, a critical understanding of intercultural friendships is crucial to the ongoing achievement of social equity. This research thus takes a positive step towards intercultural communication, understanding, and respect.
- ItemOpen AccessThe unravelling of identities and belonging: criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families(2011) Ngo, Hieu Van; Calhoun, AveryThis dissertation study was a response to community concerns about youth gangs in Calgary. It aimed to achieve theoretical understanding of criminal gang involvement of youth from immigrant families, and to develop a collaborative, practical framework to support high risk youth. lnformed by participatory action research and grounded theory, the inquiry process involved an interplay of theoretical development and participation of community stakeholders in group reflection and action. The analysis of the experiences of predominantly male participants (29 males, l female) resulted in a grounded theory of unravelling identities and belonging. According to the proposed theory, some youth from immigrant families became involved in criminal gang activity as a result of the unravelling of their self-concept, Canadian identity, ethnic identity and sense of belonging. Such unravelling occurred as the youth experienced gradual disintegration in their relationships with family, school and community. The analysis further unearthed complex pathways of youth from immigrant families towards criminal gang involvement. The gang involved participants either directly experienced pre-migration vulnerabilities or were indirectly impacted by their parents' pre-migration histories. Their life experiences in Canada involved gradual disintegration of their interactions with their families , schools and communities. Subsequently, the participants experienced crises of identities and belonging, which propelled them towards forming friendships with other socially disconnected peers. They became involved in social cliques, and progressed towards membership in criminal gangs. Drawing upon recommendations from the community stakeholders, this dissertation offers a practical framework for supporting high risk youth from immigrant families. The framework is guided by a set of principles that focus on development amongst youth from i1mnigrant families of a positive sense of identity, and of equity, multi-sectoral involvement, coordination and collaboration, multiple approaches to youth services, addressing multiple needs with multiple interventions, and timeliness and responsiveness as criteria for community stakeholders and service providers. It focuses on prevention, and offers concrete strategies for home-based, school-based and community-based support for youth. The dissertation addresses the implications of the study with respect to theoretical development, research, public discourse, policy development, and practice and service development. The findings of the study have made valuable theoretical and practical contributions to addressing the involvement of youth from immigrant families in criminal gangs.