Quality of Living Analysis for Greenpoint, Brooklyn - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1447 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2017/09/15 Category Advertising Essay Did you like this example? Greenpoint Greenpoint, Brooklyn is a culturally vibrant neighborhood full of a wide range of retail shops, restaurants, bars venues, banks, and other services. It is largely occupied by people of Polish descent (43. 6% according to the 2000 Census) and of Hispanic descent (19. 2%. ) The median income is $33,578, significantly lower than the corresponding national average of $41,994. Even with the median income in Greenpoint being almost $10,000 less than the national average, it has many of the same difficult characteristics shared by most New York City neighborhoods namely higher-than-average housing prices, overcrowded schools, higher utility prices, high local taxes, and lack of high paying jobs- all of which create a much higher total cost of living than most cities in the United States. A very low proportion of Greenpoint residents own their homes. According to the 2000 census, only 19. 2% of residents owned the homes they were living in, versus the 66. % national average. Rent prices have also consistently been on the rise, despite a few significant hiccups since the November 2008 financial crisis. It could be a great advantage to local residents if a program was set up providing local tax breaks for first time home owners in Greenpoint. Also, if the budget would allow, the City could match the Federal government’s pledge of $8000 in assistance for first time homebuyers. With $16,000 in assistance, and lowered taxes, many Greenpoint residents who otherwise would not be able to purchase a home might be able to afford that option. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Quality of Living Analysis for Greenpoint, Brooklyn" essay for you Create order A lower percentage of Greenpoint residents graduate high school than the national average (70. 4% vs. 80. 4%), which is also true for those with Bachelors degrees (21. 2% vs. 24. 4%). This lack of higher education hinders peoples’ likelihood of getting high paying jobs, and in turn, makes it harder for them to move out of poverty into the middle class. A no-cost GED training center should be set up on Greenpoint Avenue to assist high school dropouts (of any age) in getting a diploma. Similarly, a Greenpoint GED College fund should be set up, to provide full CUNY scholarships for the top 10% of the graduates of these GED programs. This not only would incline many people to seek their own education who otherwise wouldn’t, but it would also prevent many of the best students from slipping through the cracks, and ensure that more Greenpoint kids got a chance to go to college. A hot button issue for Greenpoint (and Brookyn as a whole) is land-use and development. In 2005, the City Council passed a plan for the re-zoning and development of much of the Greenpoint and Williamsburg waterfront, as well a large block of the upland area. The plan is known as the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Land Use and Waterfront Plan. The plan focuses on changing zoning regulations along the northern Brooklyn waterfront and some of the upland areas, mostly to allow for large residential buildings to be built. Many residents of the community were worried about the waterfront development buildings being built very high, and pushed for regulations limiting the number of stories a building was allowed to have. There were also concerns about new condominium rental developments being geared only toward those with high incomes, and not toward those with average Greenpoint Williamsburg incomes (Williamsburg has an even lower median income than Greenpoint, $23,567. An attempt was made to strike a compromise between the community and the development groups, to solve both of these problems in one fell swoop. The compromise that was eventually passed is called the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Inclusionary Housing Program, which attempts to address concerns about both building height and low-income housing. The program stipulates that any development that includes a certain amount of affordable housing is eligible for a â€Å"floor area bonus†, meaning they are allowed to build higher than the base restriction. There are 2 waterfront zones designated, R6 and R8; in R6 the base floor area restriction is up to 23 stories, in R8 it is 33 stories. With 20-25% of space within the development designated for affordable housing, this restriction can be raised 4. 7% to 30 stories and 40 stories respectively. While in theory this idea sounds promising, in practice it will not accomplish the goals it claims to. First of all, if a new development chooses not to go past the floor area restrictions, then there is no requirement that they provide any affordable housing. This leaves little incentive for developers to spend the extra money to build higher, and choose to include the low-income housing, as they only gain 4. 6% in floor area bonus, but have to designate over 20% of the total space of affordable housing. It ends up only inclining them against building past the base floor area restrictions (which many residents believe are already far too lax, allowing for unnecessarily tall buildings that block other buildings’ views, and obstruct sunlight for large areas of the upland waterfront. I believe the plan should be changed to require that any and all new developments include at least 10% affordable housing to begin with. In addition to the affordable housing problem, the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Land Use and Waterfront Plan does not include any provisions for building new schools in the neighborhood. A new high school in Greenpoint is sorely needed, as most high school age students who cannot attend the Automotive Technical School, which is the only public high school in Greenpoint, end up attending schools in Ridgewood, Queens and Williamsburg. The plan also has no provisions for public daycare centers, tutoring or after-school programs, or improved transportation routes from the northwestern waterfront area (which is very difficult to commute from). It would be prudent to adjust the plan to require at least some of these programs to be set up in the area, at the shared cost of the developers’ and the City. It is important to use contractors and building companies from the local area when building new developments in Greenpoint. Too often, contracts for restoration projects, and new developments end up going to companies not from Brooklyn. For instance the old Greenpoint Hospital, which has been gathering dust since 1982, is going to be converted in 240 units of affordable housing, but the contract for this conversion went to TNS Development Group, based in Queens. Two other contracts, from local Greenpoint community groups, were both rejected. A perfect sector to create high paying jobs in the local community is in skilled construction and building, it seems only right to award the slew of development contracts that are available in the area to local contractors and companies. The Greenpoint-Williamsburg Inclusionary Housing Program should be edited to require that 50% of all building contracts from now on go to companies located in the 11222 area code. Shortly before her death, Jane Jacobs summed up the problems with the waterfront development plans in a letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg: â€Å"The communitys plan does not cheat the future by neglecting to provide provisions for schools, daycare, recreational outdoor sports, and pleasant facilities for those things. The communitys plan does not promote new housing at the expense of both existing housing and imaginative and economical new shelter that residents can afford. The communitys plan does not violate the existing scale of the community, nor does it insult the visual and economic advantages of neighborhoods that are precisely of the kind that demonstrably attract artists and other live-work craftsmen [but] the proposal put before you by city staff is an ambush containing all those destructive consequences. † The roadblocks in the way of changing some of these plans would be great, and in order to make it possible, it would require a tremendous amount of public outcry and grassroots organization, in order to influence some major change of character in the highest levels of local power. If Mayor Bloomberg could be convinced to live up to his many campaign promises of building more public schools (and not just charter schools), and more affordable housing, then maybe Greenpoint could get the funds and zoning changes needed to build a new High School and provide good housing for its largest demographic, the lower class. In order to fund some of these projects, taxes could be raised on all waterfront property that is not designated to low income housing- which might provide some more incentive for developers to build more affordable housing in the area, and if it not, it might at least add some tax revenue that could help fund a new local high school. A plan that properly addresses all the issues in a neighborhood like Greenpoint would have to be much more expansive and detailed, and would surely encounter a lot of resistance from some local politicians and big development companies, but some of the ideas presented in this paper could have far-reaching positive consequences if they could gain enough public support, and be implemented.

How Democratic Is The American Constitution Essay

The question posed by both Madison and the Framers in the 85 â€Å"Federalist Papers† and Dahl in his book How Democratic is the American Constitution? is how effective the Constitution is at promoting the ideals of a democracy. For Dahl, there are several issues surrounding the Constitution, from its drafting, to its ideology, to its relevance. By analyzing Dahl’s critiques of the Constitution in terms of the parallels that exist between factions and the two-party system, the issue of unequal representation, and the necessity for the Framers to compromise on their ideals to ratify the Constitution, Dahl defined a clear argument based in his general disapproval for the Constitution. However, by combining Dahl’s critiques with potential rebuttals from the opinions and perspectives of Madison and his fellow Federalists, it is evident that both Dahl and the Framers believed that if the constitution was completely successful, then the lives of the American people would be enhanced. While Dahl believed that the Constitution, ultimately, has not fully protected the rights of all persons, he, like the Framers, focused on the particulars of government that must be improved such that the American life is bettered. The Framer’s notion of a republic, or democratic republic form of government, rested on the necessity to limit the formation and success of factions. Yet, as Dahl argued, the irony of Madison’s aversions to factions is that, not long after the ratification of theShow MoreRelatedHow Democratic Is the American Constitution?695 Words   |  3 Pages Robert Dahls book How Democratic is the American Constitution, reminds us that the American Constitution wasnt the only possible base for a democratic system in America. In this book Dahl explains some of the democratic and undemocratic aspects of the American constitution. He also explains what should be changed to improve it. In chapter 2, Dahl begins explaining about the Framers of the constitution who had the task of basically creating a new government that combated all of the problemsRead MoreHow Democratic Is The American Constitution?1310 Words   |  6 PagesAs citizens of America, how free are we? Yes essentially, we can make our own decisions but at what cost. It seems like in order to uphold structure and stability within while securing the wellbeing of every citizen of a nation us to have a government. However, if the establishment of government is essential, there are certain sacrifices one has to make to ensure one’s protection. Therefore, the battle between freedom, equality, and security comes into play when you’re trying to construct a â€Å"perfect†Read MoreHow Democratic Is The American Constitution Written By Robert A. Dahl1457 Words   |  6 PagesIn the book How Democratic Is the American Constitution written by Robert A. Dahl, it shows us a deeper understanding of how the complexities of when and how the ideals of the American democracy were framed. This book also shows us that this amazing document was created in a way that many of us wouldn’t have thought of. Throughout the book Dahl takes us on an incredible adventure through America’s beginning years, as far back as the Constitutional Convention in 1787. One of the first things thatRead MoreRethinking the Finality of and Democracy in the American Constitution1716 Words   |  7 PagesIs the United States Constitution a sacred and absolute document? Dahl (2001) argued that the Constitution is not perfect or permanent in his book, How Democratic is the American Constitution. He stresses that his main aim is not to propose that the Constitution must be amended, but to facilitate readers in changing how they think about the Constitution. In order to help people rethink the Constitution, Dahl (2001) explained the limitations of its Framers and the Constitution’s not w idely known undemocraticRead MoreReview of How Democratic Is the Us Constitution809 Words   |  4 PagesBook Review Of How Democratic Is the American Constitution By Robert A. Dahl Context The American Constitution, seen by Americans as guiding light and bedrock of civil rights and democracy is as Robert A. Dahl argues not so democratic and does not guard the rights of individuals. P.18 Dahl places his work asking fundamental questions as to the use and application of the constitution in the modern world, not as an attack as Gordon S. Wood from New York Review of Books clearly states on theRead More Government and Politics - The Original Constitution Did Not Have Many Democratic Traits1621 Words   |  7 PagesOriginal Constitution Did Not Have Many Democratic Traits In two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf, Americans fought and died so that democracy would prevail around the world. In the minds of many Americans, America is the bastion of democracy. But how democratic is America? Today’s America was â€Å"born† with the signing of the constitution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There, it was determined how democratic America would be. And every American should ask himself how democraticRead MoreHow Democratic Is The U.s. Constitution1506 Words   |  7 Pagesthe drafting of the U.S. Constitutions in 1787. These laws helped established America s national government and fundamental laws as well as guaranteed our citizens equal rights. Robert Dahl brought new light on the issue of how our nation views the U.S. Constitution and how effective it came to be. Most importantly, there is the possibility that Americans have the ability to alter the Constitution when it is needed. In Dahl’s book â€Å"How De mocratic is the U.S. Constitution?†, he makes us think deeperRead MoreHow Democratic Is The American Consitution?1310 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"How Democratic Is the American Consitution?† written by Robert A. Dahl is a novel that’s main purpose is to â€Å"suggest changes in the way we think about our constitution† (Dahl 2003, p.1). Robert A. Dahl revolves his book around a few questions. However, the main focus of all the questions are â€Å"why should we Americans uphold our constitution† (Dahl 2003, p.1)? This question is asked because he questions why we uphold something that was written more than two centuries ago. He also questions how democraticRead MoreAnalysis Of The Constitution And The Constitution932 Words   |  4 PagesDahl and the Constitution James Madison and the rest of the Founders of the Constitution undeniably founded a government that has withstood the test of time. The question that Robert Dahl poses in How Democratic Is the American Constitution? is whether this form of government and specifically the Constitution is as democratic as it should be and focuses on the Constitution’s shortcomings. Dahl argues that the constitution is much less democratic than it ought to be. Madison, on the other hand, hadRead MoreWhen Asking Oneself If The Original U.S Constitution Is1521 Words   |  7 PagesWhen asking oneself if the original U.S Constitution is democratic, democracy itself must be defined. Democracy is defined as a form of government where all eligible citizens are able to participate equally, either directly, or through elected representatives-majority rule. The original U.S Constitution, including The Bill of Rights, as written is not necessarily a true democratic document, but it is rather a document t hat calls for more of a constitutional republic. This is true despite the fact

Integratron and Giant Rock, Mojave Desert, California Free Essays

If you stand directly under the hole in the center of the room and say something the sound reverberates through your head and body and sounds like peaking to a large outdoor or indoor audience with lots of echoes and large speakers. Very strange no doubt. If you whisper from one side of the room, people on the opposite side can hear you clearly, which Is why I got strange looks when I said my watch was running backwards from the electrical effects. We will write a custom essay sample on Integratron and Giant Rock, Mojave Desert, California or any similar topic only for you Order Now There was a presentation that covered some of the history of the builder and the bulging. When they got to the part about aliens I sort of lost interest. Everyone was Invited to take a blanket and lay out on the floor for meditation and a sound massage session with sounds provided by vibrations from crystal bowls and goblets. Remember how you can run your finger around the rim of a crystal goblet and get a nice humming sound? Well here in the Integration it really is magnified and enhanced creating a peaceful and relaxing interlude while laying on the blankets. I however sat in a plastic chair. Several fell asleep based on snoring sounds. Founded in 1954 by aeronautical engineer and biologist George Van Tassel, the Integration offers something called a â€Å"sound bath†, and though we were not quite sure what a â€Å"sound bath† would entail, we were pleasantly surprised to find that while the energy vortex may not have been subjugating our poor abused livers, the experience was Indeed quite relaxing. For 30 minutes, our host â€Å"Torn† played varying tones on a set of quartz crystal slaying bowls as we meditated, listened to each other breathe, cough, and In some cases, nap. As It turns out, Van Tassel was not your run-of-the-mill OF;chasing desert eccentric. An aeronautical engineer and test pilot who worked for both Lockheed and alongside Howard Hughes at Hughes Aviation, he moved to the Mojave Desert in 1947 to operate an airport and inn. It was there that he claimed to be contacted elliptically by the Venusians, who were entrusting to him the secrets of cell rejuvenation. Acting on these instructions, Van Tassel began building the Integration, a 38 Ft. High dome inspired by Moses’ Tabernacle and the writings of Tests. While not the rejuvenation center and time machine that Van Tassel had intended, it Is does serve as the only all-wood, acoustically perfect sound chamber in the U. S. According to Van Tassel, the site of the Integration Is actually a magnetic vortex, an Intersection of geometric forces that would amplify energy required for human cell rejuvenation ND healing. All that was needed to harness this great gift to the human race was a parabolic dome was designed to focus that energy, much like it focuses sound, toward the center with it’s spherical shape. Not meeting the standards of life-saving rejuvenation chamber Just yet, the Integration still serves a purpose as a meditation spot, event location, and unusual desert stop to feel closer to our Venusians friends in the stars. Outside of the dome itself there is a dry garden with a clump of hammocks serving as â€Å"Hammock Village†, and tons of interesting folk art and alien-themed knick- knacks such as the â€Å"Alien Clings to Rock† piece you see here. To enjoy our sound bath, we found a blanket or yoga mat and claimed a spot in the circle, feet facing out. Our host described how the sound chamber works, and demonstrated how if we heard someone breathing or coughing as if they were right next to our ear, it was actually the person directly across from us on the other side of the dome. After a unusually long and stern warning regarding snoring during the bath, we closed our eyes as our host played the singing bowls. Bending the sound in ways that made it feel like it was owing in and out of our heads in waves, the intense sound was both soothing and unsettling. There was surprisingly a lot of snoring, and the earlier warning no longer seemed frivolous. After 30 minutes of hypnotic sound, we felt refreshed and ready to take on the rest of our desert adventure. Recently honored with a dedication and historical monument by the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clamp’s Vitas, Billy Holcomb Chapter, the Integration today receives many visitors drawn to experience the Integration’s enhanced energy fields. An overnight stay at the Integration is said o result in waves of peace, heightened awareness, and relaxation of the mind and body. How to cite Integratron and Giant Rock, Mojave Desert, California, Papers

Evolution of Management Theory free essay sample

This paper presents the context  of  production  management evolution  and assesses the application  of  some heuristic production approaches within construction sites  of  Brazil and England. The study revealed that, although the production  management theory  evolved significantly, construction practices do not apply the  theory  in a systemic and comprehensive manner. Clearly, lack  of motivation and poor instruments for enabling learning are the central cause  of  this problem. According to McFarland (1979) the word manage seems to have come into English usage directly from the Italian word maneggiare, that means to handle. This word, in turn, traces back to the Latin word manus (hand). In the early sixteenth century the word manage was quickly extended into the common language  of  war situations and used in the general sense  of  taking control, taking charge, or directing. Management is the fundamental integrating processes used to achieve organised, purposeful results. This dynamic flow between practice and  theory, and vice versa, is also one  of  the key virtues  of  disciplines relating to production  management. We will write a custom essay sample on Evolution of Management Theory or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Academics and consultants are continually developing new ways for solving production problems and marketing these solutions to practitioners. Occasionally, these solutions are transformed into books. In other situations, the active experimentation  of  practitioners leads to new ideas and insights that are themselves gradually transformed into  theories. These  theories, in turn, help the communication  of  their solutions to other practitioners facing similar problems. Key Contributions: Taylor and Gilbreth: Frederick W. Taylor is acknowledged as the father  of  scientific  management, because  of  his famous work entitled Principles  of  Scientific  Management  (1911). * Efficient use of time. * Tried to discover the relationship between the horsepower that a man exerts and the correspondent tiring effect that this work has on man. * Controlling factor: Amount of work a worker could do was the percentage  of  time that the worker was under load or resting, and the length and frequency  of  resting periods. Frank Bunker Gilbreth was already managing a construction company in the twentieth century. study  of  needless, ill-directed and ineffective motions of bricklayers in construction processes. * Analysed and reduced the number of motions from 18 to 5. * Doubled productivity without increasing the effort. Hawthorne: A turning point in the  theories of management  came with the study carried out by Western Electric managers and Harvard University researchers at the H awthorne works, near Chicago, from 1924 until 1932. Originally, this study sought to confirm Taylors principle that more lighting in the workplace would result in greater productivity. However, to the amazement  of  the researchers, the experiment showed productivity rising still further, even with a decrease in illumination. The investigation then turned its attention to the relationship between managers and workers, still aiming for the manipulation  of  workers to maximise the output  ofproduction (Mayo, 1949; Barnes, 1980, p. 283; Wren, 1994; Weihrich and Koontz, 1993). After a number  of  experiments, they finally concluded that the improvements in productivity happened almost solely due to social factors, such as moral and satisfactory inter-relationships within the production team. The study also showed that just the fact  of  being chosen for the study motivated workers to continually improve production, regardless  of  the working environment (Mayo, 1949; Wren, 1994; Weihrich and Koontz, 1993; Lee and Schniederjans, 1994). Courtesy: Proquest Just In Time Theory: A production strategy that increases productivity and ROI by reducing process inventory and associated carrying costs. The process relies on signals between different points in the process, which tell production when to make the next part. They can be simple visual signals. JIT focuses on continuous improvement and can improve ROI, quality and efficiency. To achieve this, the key areas of focus could be flow, emp. Involvement and quality. Courtesy: Wikipedia Adam Smith: Smith concluded that division of labor increased productivity by increasing each workers skill and dexterity, by saving time that is usually lost in changing tasks, and by the creation of labor- saving inventions and machinery. Probably, the most important influence on management was the Industrial Revolution. It began in the late eighteenth century in Great Britain, where machine power was being substituted for human power. Courtesy: Yahoo Answers. Max Weber: Characteristics of Bureaucracy Forms of Authority 1. Rulification amp; routinization effort-saving rules and equal treatment 2. Specific spheres of competence clear division of labor, specialization 3. The principle of hierarchy leave no office uncontrolled 4. Expertise of office holders managers to have technical training 5. Written record-keeping everything to be recorded amp; filed, red tape. Courtesy: Answers. yahoo. com According to Max Weber, there are three types of power in an organisation:- Traditional Power – Readily accepted. Unquestioned as it comes from deeply set customs and tradition. Charismatic Power – Gained by those who have gained the respect and trust of their followers. Bureaucratic Power Or Legal Power – Stems from the setup of an organisation and the position held by the person in authority excised within stipulated rules and regulations of an organization. The characteristics or features of Bureaucratic Organisation are as follows :- There is a high degree of Division of Labour and Specialisation. There is a well defined Hierarchy of Authority. It follows the principle of Rationality, Objectively and Consistency. There are Formal and Impersonal relations among the member of the organisation. Interpersonal relations are based on positions and not on personalities. There are well defined Rules and Regulations. There rules cover all the duties and rights of the employees. These rules must be strictly followed. There are well defined Methods for all types of work. Selection and Promotion is based on Technical qualifications. Only Bureaucratic or legal power is given importance. Bureaucratic organisation is criticised because of the following reasons :- Too much emphasis on rules and regulations. The rules and regulations are rigid and inflexible. No importance is given to informal groups. Nowadays, informal groups play an important role in all business organisations. Bureaucracy involves a lot of paper work. This results in lot of wastage of time, effort and money. There will be unnecessary delay in decision-making due to formalities and rules. Bureaucratic model may be suitable for government organisations. But it is not suitable for business organisations because business organisations believe in quick decision making and flexibility in procedures. Too much importance is given to the technical qualifications of the employees for promotion and transfers. Dedication and commitment of the employee is not considered. There is difficulty in coordination and communication. There is limited scope for Human Resource (HR).