Abstract

An adequate amount of public space is indispensable to have productive, vibrant,

socially and politically inclusive cities but quantity alone is not enough. Public spaces need to be

designed to create places where people enjoy walking and spending time and that encourage

social interaction and political involvement. At this point, a public space in Valenzuela City has

become more prominent and significant. The aim of this study was to identify the significance

of cohesive public space in socio-political activities through evaluating the relation between

socio-political activities and public space from a human perspective. Specifically, District I of

Valenzuela City was chosen for this study. The study used a qualitative type of method which is

included of literature review, observation and interview. Nine (9) Local government Officials.

Data was collected by gathering on insights from the Local government Officials about public

spaces and simple observation by capturing where some public spaces were built. It showed

that people are the primary elements of the city and without public spaces, it is difficult to build

up social and political activities.

Keywords: public space, social, political and local government

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 Introduction

Public Space defines public space as all places publicly owned or of public use, accessible

and enjoyable by all for free and without a profit motive. Public spaces are a key element of

individual and social well-being, the places of a community’s collective life, expressions of the

diversity of their common, natural and cultural richness and a foundation of their identity. The

community recognizes itself in its public places and pursues the improvement of their spatial

quality. The core aspect of public space is that it is designed for all citizens regardless of

economic and political status, origin or nationality. For this reason public spaces have to

potential to make a city more equal and inclusive.

The moment a person leaves a private place such as home instinctively means that he’s

in a public place. Open spaces assume in imperative job in the social and financial existence of

networks. New sorts of open spaces and meeting spots are presently being made in towns and

urban areas, which can be a significant social asset. An open space alludes to a region or spot

that is open and available to all people groups, paying little respect to sexual orientation, race,

ethnicity, age or financial level. These are open social occasion spaces for example courts,

squares and stops. Interfacing spaces, for example walkways and roads are additionally open

spaces. In the 21ST century some consider the virtual spaces accessible through the web as

another kind of open space that creates cooperation and social blending (UNESCO, 2017)

In a study conducted by Chitrakar (2016) he said that most occupants of the

newneighbourhood in Nepal have a comprehension of the criticalness of open space in network

life. In any case, such as understandings depends less on the real utilization of open space. The

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existing open spaces in these areas are less effective in offering an importance to the

occupants, because of their poor improvement and the absence of dynamic use. In spite of

these changes a few occupants accept they have built up a feeling of network which is a result

of other individual’s elements than the utilization of open space. It is contended that the job of

contemporary neighbourhood open space in cultivating a feeling of network gives off an

impression of being less huge in the valleys present setting.

Public spaces enhance community cohesion, civic identity, and quality of life. The

liveliness and continuous use of public space as a public good, leads to urban environments that

is well maintained and safe making the city an attractive place in which to live and work. Having

access to public spaces does not only improve the quality of life: it is also a first step toward

civic empowerment and greater access to institutional and political spaces. Properly designed

public spaces not only contribute to improve the overall visual character of a city, but they also

stimulate economic activities and enhance the productivity of the city.

Aside from public space being used as recreational place, public spaces can also be used

in handling socio-political activities. As defined by YourDictionary (2018), the meaning of socio-

political is something that includes both social and political components. A case of something

that is Socio-political is the issue of natural protection which is impacted by both Social

mentalities towards “becoming environmentally friendly” and by political strategies.

In several countries many social, economic and political activities that occur in public

spaces are enabled and constrained by a variety of laws and regulations that restrict certain

conducts, activities, political practices and groups in both private and state owned public

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spaces. Street vending is definitely one of the activities that face the most severe legal

restrictions. The term street vending refers to small-scale businesses usually operating from

urban public space. Street vending is part of the urban informal economy, defined as legal or

socially acceptable activities operating partly outside the formal legal regime. Street vendors

contribute highly to urban economies and offer easy access to low cost goods and services in

public spaces.

According to Palma (2018) Open spaces have been both an affection and rankle in their

backing for improving Philippine urban areas. An affection since its typifies value, distribute

equity and shared rights and an anger in light of the fact that numerous Filipinos disregard the

idea of what “Open” signifies and pretty much all that it encapsulates in light of a feeling of

qualification while such a significant number of zones in the remainder of the world put open

spaces on a platform there is a serious number of spaces that we can openly utilize. These

incorporate roads, walkways and asphalts, spans, open spaces, for example, parks, courts and

play areas open foundation, open vehicle stations, ports, other open parks and structures and

water bodies.

Inclined with the public space Rave Park is the biggest open space to be worked by a

neighbourhood government in Metro Manila. The recreation center is particular since its joins

customary open access regions with client pay attractions, including a waterpark, experience

park and zoo. Neighbourhood inhabitants are offered limited rates to the low estimated

exercises and the recreations centers instruction program is broadly used by schools in Pasig

and past. It has as of late included a wellness community for nearby occupants, offering

reasonable access to recreation center gear and exercise classes (UN HABIT, 2015)
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 In many cities, there is no clear understanding of the role of different departments or

coordination between them. For instance, the sidewalks are responsibility of the Department of

Public Works and Highways. In such case, clear coordination mechanisms need to be developed

in order to improve communication between the different departments. Some local

governments have created unified public space agencies to improve the institutional

coordination in the management of public spaces.

Planning and design rules and regulations affect greatly the morphologic and physical

character of cities but unfortunately these effects are usually overlooked and not well

understood and urban regulations do not have clear policy objectives on the physical outcomes

they intend to create. Cities should adopt form-based codes that encourage a mix of uses and

building types and establish expected outcomes for building, block and street patterns, street

standards, and public spaces. This approach reduces the discretion of planning authorities and

makes the physical outcome more predictable.

The researcher believed cities need a coherent legal framework that sets in place clear

planning requirements for public space, a coordinated institutional setting and fiscal

instruments to ensure an adequate revenue stream and rules on the access and enjoyment of

public spaces that take into account the different needs of the most vulnerable citizens. Many

cities have realized the important of well-designed and maintained public spaces in order to

improve social and political conditions and have adopted city wide public space strategies for a

holistic, systemic approach to public space creation, management and enjoyment in our cities.

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 This research aimed to study the significance of cohesive public space in socio-political

activities through evaluating the relation between socio-political activities and public space

from a human perspective. Furthermore, the influential elements in improving this relationship

was studied to achieve criteria for designing and planning public space, to encourage more

citizens, to attend in the public space so that, the result social interaction and political

involvement may increase in city.

This research focused on Public Spaces as an Influential Factor for Holding Socio-political

Activities in the District level. Basically it sought to answer the following questions:(1) What is

the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age, sex and years of residency? (2)

What is the role of public space as far as political activities are concerned? (3) Is there any

significant relationship between socio-political activities and the demographic profile of the

respondents?(4) What recommendations must be given in order that the residents of District I

of Valenzuela City can utilize public space when holding political and social activities?

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 Research Methodology

Research Design

This study followed a qualitative design and took a descriptive approach. A few studies

have been conducted specifically on the interaction among citizens of Valenzuela, the study

was largely descriptive in its methodology of gathering and analysing data in order to develop

in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. Examining the role of public spaces in stimulating

the formation of critical opinions also necessitated a qualitative approach because it is more

concerned with the description and explanation of citizens as a social medium which entails

detailed observation and analysis of group-level interaction rather than the measurement of

quantification of such activity. A qualitative approach yields richer and more nuanced data that

are not obtainable through quantitative methods, but are important in producing sufficient

information needed to reach meaningful conclusions that address research problem.

Selection of Respondents

Respondents for the interview included the seven (7) City Councilors of District I of

Valenzuela City, whereas open-ended questionnaires were distributed to the city officials. The

target sample from the population of City officials was planned to at least 4 successful

responses of either female or male. All of which were within the age of majority as provided in

the fundamental law of the Philippines and had resided in the district I more than a year.

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Gathering Procedures

The observation guide was used to aid the researcher in recording observational data

during offline events and activities of the communities the guide was divided into sections for

grouping data, particularly data pertaining to the setting, the context, the nature of the event,

the actors involved, and the interaction taking place throughout the activity.

The researcher interviewed selected City Councilors from the District 1 of Valenzuela

City. The interview guide for Councilors was semi-structured and used open-ended questions

and allowed for follow-up questions.

Data Analysis and Synthesis Procedures

Including the City officials within the interviews, there were three considerations of

qualitative variables, consisting of their age, their gender, and years of residence in the city.

By this, analyzing the data gathered from the city officials was based on the brackets of

age, gender and years of residence in the city.

Unlike interviews of the city officials, no method of statistical analysis was conducted

regarding the interviews of city officials as they were more designed to be openly interpreted

through a descriptive form of method to analyze the data in each questionnaire.

Ethical Consideration

The researcher sent a formal request letter to the Valenzuela City Hall, a permission to

conduct the study which included a clear statement of the purpose, its objective and benefits of

the research. Informed consent participants in the interview were briefly on the purpose and
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conduct of the research. All the information that was to be gathered would keep confidential.

The consent of the participants was recorded and notes will be kept of thedates of briefing and

of the persons briefed.

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 RESULTS

The researcher’s objective in this study was to identify the significance of cohesive

public space in socio-political activities through evaluating the relation between socio-political

activities and public space from a human perspective. Furthermore, the influential elements in

improving this relationship was studied to achieve criteria for designing and planning an public

space to encourage more citizens to attend in the public space so that, the result social

interaction and political involvement may increase in city. The researcher conducted semi-

structured and used open-ended questions and allowed for follow – up questions.

Public Spaces in Valenzuela City

A public space is a place that is generally open and accessible to people. Roads, parks,

schools are typically considered public space. Public spaces are important an asset in every

cities. It creates a social space that's benefit everyone.

“Iba- iba eh, kung ang topic ng thesis mo is District I lang, We have Polo

Park, The 3S center sa mga kanya-kanyang baranggay, It is also considered as

public spaces, The different public schools in Valenzuela City they have also

public spaces. Recently, We opened the Polo Park District I, the Valenzuela SPED

Center merong public space yan and then the Pamatasan ng Lungsodng

Valenzuela meron din” Rovin Feliciano, 29 years old District 1, City Councilor

“So, yung mga public spaces na itinatayo natin , yung kamukha nung

tinatayuan natin na school building, mga government facilities example yung

people’s park binili natin through expropriation para magamit ng public domain,
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 eminent domain para gamitin ng mga mamamayan. School building like for

example day care center, tapos ung 3s center. Mga Barangay hall, health center,

covered court yan ang mga itinatayo naming.” - Ramon L. Encarnacion, 64 years

old, District 1 City Councilor

People's park, Family Park, 3S Center, VALMASCI, SPED Center, Public Schools are all

locations of vital importance for life in the Valenzuela City. The relationship between residents

and these spaces (and each other) must be preserved. They provide people many opportunities

to come together and engage with the community. If public spaces are successful they are

inclusive of the diversity of groups present in Valenzuela City and create a social space for

everyone in the society to participate in

Polo Park is located at Barangay Polo, which is surrounded by rivers and swamps,

making it the city’s trade center while theValenzuela SPED Center is located Along Mc Arthur

Road, Malinta. Then, the Pamantasan ng Lungsodng Valenzuela comes across Maysan Rd,

Valenzuela, Metro Manila.

Objectives of Building Public Spaces

Public Spaces is commonly charged and created for open usage throughout the city. The

area is built for a range of various types of recreation, social and political activities. The physical

setting is socially constructed, which creates a behaviour influence. Through the landscape and

spatial organization of public space, the construction is considered to be privately ruled by the

implicit and explicit rules and expectations of the space that are enforced.

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 “The roles of public spaces like for example, Valenzuela School of

Mathematics and Science (VALMASCI). There is an ordinance, a proposed

ordinance during that time, it’s about real property taxes, Sa VALMASCI naming

ginawayung venue why? Para ipapakita namin sa mga tax payers na hindi

sayang yung buwis na binabayaran niyo. Nakita niyo naman yung quality, nakita

niyo na man yung ganda ng eskwelahan kung kaya’t parang sabihin mo ah,kahit

maglabas ako ng malaking pera, yung buwis na binabayaran napupunta sa

tama” - Rovin Feliciano, 29 years old, District 1 City Councilor

“Kaya kami nagcoconduct ng mga public hearing kasi bago maapprove

ang isang ordinance kailangan malaman muna ng public or yung mga

constituents naming kung ano ba yung gusto naming gawing ordinance parang

information dissemination di pwede kami lang may alam, kailangan alam din ng

mga nasasakupan naming kung ano ginagawa naming batas at kung san

naming napaguusapan pwede sa amphitheater, pwede sa people’s park, so kaya

kami nagcoconduct” - Atty. Walter Magnum Dela Cruz, 35 years old,District 1

City Councilor

Valenzuelanos should be obliged to pay taxes to the government for a number of

reasons. They should accept that the taxes they pay help the government offer them the public

services all over the country. These public services are things such as the construction of roads,

bridges, public hospitals, parks, schools and other public services. The same tax money helps

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the Valenzuela economy to be stable. Through taxes, the government of Valenzuela can pay off

its debts. In short, tax money is a way of ensuring that people have comfortable livelihoods.

Public spaces have different uses and meanings in each neighbourhood and community.

Valenzuelanos involvement ensures that the nature and use of public space will meet the

community’s distinct needs. Social participation is a central element for the construction of

safer, equitable public areas.

Significance of Public Spaces

Every public space in our country has its role and symbolism to other people. Several

times it is use to commemorate someone - it may be a national hero in their designated city, a

noble warrior or even a saint. But regardless of what interpretation we may conclude on one's

public space, the accessibility and the service that the officials offer to their citizen’s matter.

“Public Spaces from the word spaces it is the place where the general

public spend their time with their families for social occasions, social gatherings

for many reasons. But here we, as a social being, dun tayo naghahanap ng

kaibigan, nagkukukwentuhan at marami pang bagay Na nakukuha because of

public space”- Rovin Feliciano, 29 years old, District 1 City Councilor

“Maraming Siginificant value yan, yun nga dun kami nagcoconduct ng

public hearing, in times of calamity, nagiging ano din siya, anong pangalan nito,

evacuation center diba! Pag may mga bisita tayo. Concert for a cause yan yung

mga nagagamit eh, kasi pag sa private ka pa magcoconduct niyan may bayad eh

kung sa public paalam ka lang sa gobyerno libre nayan. Maraming significant

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 value, sinabi ko lang yung most important” - Atty. Walter Magnum Dela Cruz, 35

years old,District 1 City Councilor

Public spaces play a vital role in the social and political life of communities. It provides a

platform or space in which people can come in contact with the social world outside and

experience the opportunity of being with, seeing and hearing others which instils stimulation. It

is a space that gives people a chance to see something new, to feel differently, to learn and to

be inspired.

Public spaces play an important role in the social development of children. For example,

in people’s park, children learn to share and play. Human values are instilled in children just by

experience and observation in public space.

Maintenance of Public Spaces

Designing and maintaining a public space is highly challenging. Public spaces need to be

protected against various impediments such as misuse, deterioration and climate. Among all,

the safety of the users of public spaces is the key challenge. The assurance of the feeling of

safety is a precondition for public space to be utilized to its highest capacity.

“Yes, we see to it as a counsellor that there’s enough fund for the

sustainability and maintenance of the public spaces we exercise the power inherent to

the city government and any other local government branches the power of eminent

domain you can search the power of eminent domain. The power of eminent domain,

the power of expropriation. The private property for public use by modes of payment of

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 just compensation so meaning to say whether you like it or not if the

government said that the government used your property, kailangan naming yan

bibibigay mo sa tamang, sa presyo na gusto ng gobyerno. You can explore using

your research the exercise of the power of eminent domain of the city

government of Valenzuelan” -Rovin Feliciano, 29 years old, District 1, City

Councilor

“So, yung mga, eto naman, minimaintain natin yung mga public space,

sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaayos, iniimprove, nilalagyan ng mga tao para

meron nangangalaga sa mga tao” Ramon L. Encarnacion, 64 years old, District 1

City Councilor

The local government of Valenzuela City is the public sphere in charge of allocating

resources to public space development and maintenance. As such, part of its City budget should

be for public space or other innovative funding sources should be sought. Local income, in the

form of taxes, comes from increased property value or locally generated revenue. 

By virtue of the power of eminent domain, the government of Valenzuela as a sovereign

has the authority to take private property for public use upon observance of due process of law

and payment of just compensation

Local Government Officials should also ensure that adequate resources for the

operation and maintenance of public spaces are provided to ensure long-term sustainability. 

Place-keeping is crucial when dealing with public space. Specific tools including different

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collaboration between public and private sectors as well as the civil society needs to be

developed. 

Promoting Public Spaces to Valenzuelanos

Local Government Officials have a duty to promote the use of public spaces in an

equitable way by finding the right balance between regulation and deregulation of the use of

public spaces. The rules around the uses and activities on public spaces should be given

particular attention to avoid negative impact on the city life and how they might have effects on

vulnerable groups. This may require differentiated strategies at city-wide

and neighbourhood level.

“We utilize and we make difference. We are not into limitation of making

city beauty and but we, we will make building or infrastructure like for example,

next week two weeks from now we will opened Tagalag Fishing Village Linear

Park. We maximize and we see to it that the level of the infrastructure is not

only okay but it is excellent” - Rovin Feliciano, 29 years old, District 1, City

Councilor

City Government of Valenzuela has a clear responsibility to look ahead and create the

conditions for a better future for all Valenzuelanos. Public spaces have a direct impact in the life

of the people; therefore, policies about utilization of public spaces should be developed in the

Valenzuela City, based on people’s needs.

If public spaces have blue areas, they not only benefit citizens, but also contribute to

the local ecosystem.

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Exhorting of the Professionals

Public spaces are the full responsibility of local governments (with the community),

either officially or by default. Strong governance with accountable, transparent and effective

institutions can ensure the quality and quantity of public spaces. Local authorities and

governments are mandated to create and manage public spaces as part of the city commons in

the public interest.

“First, the general public should know where is the public spaces, what

time general public can utilize the public spaces and see to it that the public

space, the public parks etc., public infrastructures are readily available for all the

people. Use the social media use other tools like information dissemination and

make it outstanding and excellent kasi pag ordinaryong park lang yan hindi

pupuntahan ng mga tao. Make it outstanding and excellent place where the

general public can be together” - Feliciano, 29 years old, District 1, City Councilor

Valenzuela City does have a mandate to provide quality public spaces where people can

meet, be active, spend their free time in. Within these programs, more information needs to be

made available to increase the possibility for public-private partnerships to be formed.

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 DISCUSSION

Findings from the interviews and research collected, the researcher decided to examine

deeply the significance of cohesive public space in socio-political activities through evaluating

the relation between socio-political activities and public space in District I of Valenzuela City. To

be more specific, Public Space would be primary focus. In evaluating few key officials, response

has found that successful ones have key qualities: The accessibility; the space is comfortable

and has a good image; people are engaged in activities there; the power of expropriation; and

finally, it is a sociable place: where people meet each other and take people when they come to

visit.

The researcher believed that the value of public spaces and the importance of design

and planning in creating them has been established, it is vital to remember that the design

approach for creating these spaces should be very site specific to have easy access especially

the Valenzuelanos. Each public space has its own inherent meaning and use. The design of one

space cannot simply be imitated and plugged into another just because it is functioning

successfully in that particular space. Merely mimicking the characteristics of one successful

place into the creation of another public space is not the solution and can often result in a

disastrous misuse of the space. Such spaces should be carefully created considering the type of

usage, lifestyle of valenzuelanos and the context of its surroundings.

Additionally, the citizens of Valenzuela City can now see the complexity that lies in the

maintaining public spaces but also in their fundamental definition itself. Public Space offers

economic, political and social values restoring the identity of Valenzuela City and enhancing the

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lifestyle of Valenzuelanos giving them opportunities for new experiences. Although it is quiet

challenging to the government of Valenzuela creating new public spaces and maintaining them

should continue to be taken very seriously.

Moreover, Public interest prevails over private interest. Cities must avoid the

privatization and speculation of public space thereby preventing a net loss of public space as a

proportion of City development.

As what Nasution et, al (2017) found out on their study, A public open space is

success when it can be a conducive place for social interaction(Danisworo, 1989; Whyte,

1985), attracts manyvisitors to do their activities there(Danisworo, 1989; Whyte,

1985), with a wide range of activities (Rivlin, 1994; CABE andDETR, 2001), supporting

recreationandinformalactivities(Whyte,1985;ProjectforPublicSpace,2000).From behavioural

mapping conducted, it found out that Merdeka Square reach peak hour in Sunday Morning,

between 05.00–10.59 and Sunday afternoon from 16.00 to18.59. A wide variety of activities

occur, such assport(football,volleyball,basket,wall-climbing,run,thai-chiandphysical exercise,

etc.),playing,evenjust sitting, strolling, talking with friendsand almost all activities done in

groups. Different with Merdeka Square, Merdeka Walk’s peak hour occurs on

SaturdayandSunday afternoon, and Saturdayand Sundaynight.

In line with the study, public space plays a major role not just as an attraction for

newcomers but also a channel of people to interact. Meaning, the several public spaces located

in District 1 of Valenzuela City is not just for socio-political purposes, it can also be for other

purposes. Visiting Public Spaces and engaging in social activities in public spaces provides

opportunity to meet others and facilities trust and confidence among others.
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 Valenzuela City may not be the main attraction in the metro, but the structures and

public spaces built in the metropolitan that satiates the interest of the residents and how the

officials showcase these to people inside and outside of city.

The study was conducted to identify the significance of cohesive public space in socio-

political activities through evaluating the relation between socio-political activities and public

space from a human perspective. The findings in this study indeed proved that the public

spaces were undoubtedly the influential factor that unifies city’s formal and informal activities

of many Valenzuelanos. It was clear that public space can encourage/persuade more

Valenzuelanos to increase social interactions and political involvement.

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made. The

government should come up with the strategies of planning and designing and ensure that

adequate resources for the operation and maintenance of public spaces are provided. Also, to

ensure long-term sustainability, to create more public spaces, The local government should

improve tax collection to finance public services such as critical infrastructures like roads, parks,

public schools, health centers and other public services, must improve the rules and

regulations that been implemented for it to more effective. Lastly, the local government should

keep on being publicly active for promoting public space by posting and sharing on social

media.

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 REFERENCES

Rajjan Man Chitrakar, (2016), ‘Transformation of Public Space in Contemporary Urban

Neighborhoods of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: An investigation of changing provision

UNESCO (2017) ‘Good Practices of Accessible Urban Development’

UN Habitat (2015), ‘Walking tour highlights Filipino urban public space’

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:728823/FULLTEXT01.pdf?
fbclid=IwAR3709LRJAoEJ31I3F3ca40p0zS8WyNHQyetbofTHapTVW_JtEJx5I0ksmA

https://www.learning.uclg.org/public-space?
fbclid=IwAR3709LRJAoEJ31I3F3ca40p0zS8WyNHQyetbofTHapTVW_JtEJx5I0ksmA

https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=2021&context=all_dissertations&fbclid=IwAR3GvH3r9dr43KIA1YNIHnm8tGW7tcjLHyM_cNNZRbi
grcL26MMVBnBiQ_s

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