Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Architecture Environmental aspects Australia'
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1
Bennetts, Helen. "Environmental issues and house design in Australia : images from theory and practice /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2000. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phb472.pdf.
2
Xu, Jun 1969. "A framework for site analysis with emphasis on feng shui and contemporary environmental design principles." Ann Arbor, Mich. : UMI Dissertation Services, 2004. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-10172003-101905.
Abstract:
UMI No. 3110307. "Authorized facsimile, made from the microfilm master copy of the original dissertation." Includes bibliographical references. Summary: This research proposes a new site analysis methodology in the form of an integrated framework. The framework separates the site analysis process into different models, incorporates each model, and considers the interaction between them. The most important models are the environmental models (climate, geology, hydrology, topography, and vegetation models), social-cultural models, economic models, and infrastructure models. Each model also contains several important factors.The study identifies and organizes environmental factors within the framework that influence site analysis and design. Based on the applicability of feng shui principles and their interpretations into measurable factors, this research compares and incorporates feng shui and contemporary environmental design theories, and summarizes essential environmental factors. The emphasis on environmental factors from these models may lead to a better understanding of the relationships between humankind and the natural environment.
3
Sheppard, Barbara Dorothea. "Assessing the environmental performance of building developments : the Green Building Tool." Title page, table of contents and abstract only, 2000. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09ENV/09envs549.pdf.
Abstract:
Bibliography: p. 119-122. Aims to show how the GB Tool (Green BuildingTool) can be used to access the environmental performance of residential building developments, with a focus on South Australia. Describes the history of, and rationale for, the GB Tool; and its practical implementation. Identifies some theoretical short comings of the GB Tool, as well as some practical difficulties with using it.
4
Bleby, Timothy Michael. "Water use, ecophysiology and hydraulic architecture of Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) growing on mine rehabilitation sites in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Plant Biology, 2003. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2004.0004.
Abstract:
[Truncated abstract. Please see the pdf format for the complete text. Also, formulae and special characters can only be approximated here. Please see the pdf version for an accurate reproduction.] This thesis examines the water use, ecophysiology and hydraulic architecture of Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) growing on bauxite mine rehabilitation sites in the jarrah forest of south-western Australia. The principal objective was to characterise the key environment and plant-based influences on tree water use, and to better understand the dynamics of water use over a range of spatial and temporal scales in this drought-prone ecosystem. A novel sap flow measurement system (based on the use of the heat pulse method) was developed so that a large number of trees could be monitored concurrently in the field. A validation experiment using potted jarrah saplings showed that rates of sap flow (transpiration) obtained using this system agreed with those obtained gravimetrically. Notably, diurnal patterns of transpiration were measured accurately and with precision using the newly developed heat ratio method. Field studies showed that water stress and water use by jarrah saplings on rehabilitation sites were strongly seasonal: being greatest in summer when it was warm and dry, and least in winter when it was cool and wet. At different times, water use was influenced by soil water availability, vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and plant hydraulic conductance. In some areas, there was evidence of a rapid decline in transpiration in response to dry soil conditions. At the end of summer, most saplings on rehabilitation sites were not water stressed, whereas water status in the forest was poor for small saplings but improved with increasing size. It has been recognised that mature jarrah trees avoid drought by having deep root systems, however, it appears that saplings on rehabilitation sites may have not yet developed functional deep roots, and as such, they may be heavily reliant on moisture stored in surface soil horizons. Simple predictive models of tree water use revealed that stand water use was 74 % of annual rainfall at a high density (leaf area index, LAI = 3.1), high rainfall (1200 mm yr-1) site, and 12 % of rainfall at a low density (LAI = 0.4), low rainfall (600 mm yr-1) site, and that water use increased with stand growth. A controlled field experiment confirmed that: (1) sapling transpiration was restricted as root-zone water availability declined, irrespective of VPD; (2) transpiration was correlated with VPD when water was abundant; and (3) transpiration was limited by soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance when water was abundant and VPD was high (> 2 kPa). Specifically, transpiration was regulated by stomatal conductance. Large stomatal apertures could sustain high transpiration rates, but stomata were sensitive to hydraulic perturbations caused by soil water deficits and/or high evaporative demand. No other physiological mechanisms conferred immediate resistance to drought. Empirical observations were agreeably linked with a current theory suggesting that stomata regulate transpiration and plant water potential in order to prevent hydraulic dysfunction following a reduction in soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance. Moreover, it was clear that plant hydraulic capacity determined the pattern and extent of stomatal regulation. Differences in hydraulic capacity across a gradient in water availability were a reflection of differences in root-to-leaf hydraulic conductance, and were possibly related to differences in xylem structure. Saplings on rehabilitation sites had greater hydraulic conductance (by 50 %) and greater leaf-specific rates of transpiration at the high rainfall site (1.5 kg m-2 day1) than at the low rainfall site (0.8 kg m-2 day1) under near optimal conditions. Also, rehabilitation-grown saplings had significantly greater leaf area, leaf area to sapwood area ratios and hydraulic conductance (by 30-50 %) compared to forest-grown saplings, a strong indication that soils in rehabilitation sites contained more water than soils in the forest. Results suggested that: (1) the hydraulic structure and function of saplings growing under the same climatic conditions was determined by soil water availability; (2) drought reduced stomatal conductance and transpiration by reducing whole-tree hydraulic conductance; and (3) saplings growing on open rehabilitation sites utilised more abundant water, light and nutrients than saplings growing in the forest understorey. These findings support a paradigm that trees evolve hydraulic equipment and physiological characteristics suited to the most efficient use of water from a particular spatial and temporal niche in the soil environment.
5
Mingotti, Nicola. "Passive environmental design for health." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2015. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.709015.
6
Adler, Stuart Alan. "Indoor air quality and architecture." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/23178.
7
May, John R. (John Robert) 1978. "Sustainability of electricity generation using Australian fossil fuels." Monash University, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, 2003. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/9537.
8
Butler, Thomas. "Design in a simulation environment." Thesis, Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/22664.
9
Looney, Michael Keith. "The existential nature of architecture." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/22390.
10
Alverbro, Karin. "Environmental and ethical aspects of destruction of ammunition." Licentiate thesis, KTH, Miljöstrategisk analys, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-27345.
Abstract:
Many decision-making situations today affect the safety of individuals and the environment,for instance hazardous waste management. In practice, many of these decisions are madewithout an overall view and with the focus on either the environment or safety. Now and then the areas of regulation are in conflict, i.e. the best alternative according to environmental considerations is not always the safest way and vice versa.A tool for taking an overall view within the areas of safety and environment would simplify matters and provide authorities and industry with a better basis for their work. This thesis forms part of a project which aims to develop a framework tool giving this overall view and supporting decision-making in which the issues (areas) of environment, safety, ethics and costs are all integrated. By developing a framework tool, different areas of interest could be taken into consideration more easily when a decision is to be made and could also help develop legislation and policy locally (at an industry or company), nationally and internationally. The project also aims to provide knowledge about different destruction/decommission methods, their good and bad points and their consequences, in order to provide different actors with a better basis for decision-making. This thesis focuses on development of the framework. The scope of the studies was restricted to environment, ethics and personnel safety due to the extent of the work and time limitations. In the next part of the project, the areas of costs and evaluation will be studied and a first draft of the framework tool will be presented. In order to develop the framework tool, two case studies were carried out here: an environmental analysis involving a life cycle assessment and an ethical analysis. With the help of these analyses, three different methods of destruction of ammunition were compared: Open detonation, modelled both with and without recovery and recycling of metals; incineration in a static kiln with air pollution control combined with recycling of metals, modelled with two different levels of air emissions; and a combination of incineration with air pollution control, open burning, recovery of some energetic material and recycling of metals, giving a total of five options. Every method of destruction of energetic material, i.e. explosive waste or ammunition, results in environmental impacts in both the short and long term. These environmental impacts have direct or indirect impacts on safety, quality of life, the economy, etc., now and in the future, locally and globally. Life cycle assessment revealed two factors of importance for reducing the environmental impacts: Recycling the metals and air pollution control. As a consequence of controlling these potential negative environmental impacts, safety problems might also be controlled. Ethical analysis revealed that future generations and people in foreign countries will be affected by the destruction of ammunition. When choosing a method for destruction of ammunition, this group (the general public) should thus be given special attention.QC 20101210
11
Groat, Linda N. "Psychological aspects of contextual compatibility in architecture : a study of environmental meaning." Thesis, University of Surrey, 1985. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/847475/.
Abstract:
The intent of this study is to investigate contextual compatibility in architecture from a psychological perspective. More specifically, the study examines contextual compatibility as an aspect of environmental meaning. Within the framework of this research, the term contextual compatibility is defined as the degree of fit between a new infill building and the immediately adjacent buildings within an urban or campus setting. As such, contextual compatibility is clearly a very specific and narrowly defined phenomenon: yet it nevertheless represents one of the most publicly debated and architecturaly significant manifestations of environmental meaning. For example, the emergence of increasing numbers of design review commissions, the often vociferous public debates on the appropriateness of particular design proposals, and the increasing willingness of architects to employ non-Modernist vocabularies all suggest the importance of contextual compatibility in people's experience of architecture. Because this study represents one of the first empirical investigations of contextual compatibility at the architectural scale, the research is focused on three of the most fundamental aspects of the topics: 1) what meaning does contextual compatibility have for people? 2) what kind of contextual design strategies are most consistently preferred? and 3) what types of physical features are most commonly seen as contributing to or detracting from contextual compatibility? In addition, a further goal of the research is to offer an account of the psychological processes that are implicit in these questions. These questions are considered in the light of three major sets of literatures 1) general discussions of environmental cognition and meaning in the psychological literature, 2) specific substantive research studies on contextual compatibility, primarily drawn from the environmental psychology literature, and 3) critical and theoretical analyses of design strategies for contextual fit, drawn from the architectural literature.
12
Letbetter, Eric Dean. "Si(gh)te an (re)building : architectonic reconstructions of a corrupt landscape." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/22417.
13
Malmqvist, Tove. "Methodological aspects of environmental assessment of buildings." Doctoral thesis, KTH, Miljöstrategisk analys, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-9742.
Abstract:
The built environment contributes extensively to the overall environmental impact of society. An increasing number of tools have been developed worldwide for comprehensive environmental assessment and rating of buildings in order to make the building sector more sustainable. These tools are expected to drive and facilitate future environmental improvements and market transformation in the sector. This thesis explores different methodological aspects in tool development using experiences from two large Swedish projects, the EcoEffect and ByggaBo tools, which were developed with a high level of stakeholder participation in order to be of practical use in the building sector. The methodological aspects explored and discussed here include an approach for systematic selection of assessment aspects (energy use, indoor air quality, etc.) in tools (Paper 3), and a systematic procedure for selecting practical indicators using theoretical (e.g. validity/environmental relevance) and practical (e.g. costs) criteria (Papers 2 and 3). An approach for simple communication of complex results is presented with examples from 26 multi-family buildings (Paper 4). This approach allows a building’s ‘environmental efficiency’ to be presented in one diagram, without weighting the two distinct assessment areas energy use and indoor environmental quality. Paper 5 discusses the contextual issue of internal use of environmental indicators in property management organisations through reviews of environmental performance evaluation and organisation theory literature and comparisons with actual case studies. The EcoEffect (Paper 1) and the ByggaBo tools are also compared and summarised. The case studies of real buildings and experiences from the EcoEffect and ByggaBo projects allowed data collection, calculation procedures and different practical applications of such tools to be evaluated. Poor data availability sometimes limits assessments, and improved internal routines and database developments in the building sector would allow more reliable environmental assessments. Reviews of numerous indicators in Paper 3 (and 2) and literature revealed that environmental relevance was not a key aspect when current environmental performance indicators and building rating tools were constructed. This thesis suggests that environmental relevance and systematic procedures be prioritised in order to provide robust and trustworthy tools for environmental assessment of buildings. Recommendations, some of which are generally applicable to other environmental assessments, include selection of environmentally relevant indicators, systematic procedures for handling theoretical and practical considerations in tool development, aggregation and weighting methods, use of a life cycle perspective and inclusion of performance-based rather than feature-based indicators. Since it is likely that the information these tools provide will increasingly be used by authorities, building users, economic incentive providers such as banks, etc., the methodological developments suggested here to strengthen tool rigour are important for future tool development processes.Utvecklingen av verktyg för miljöbedömning av byggnader är ett område som expanderat kraftigt sedan 1990-talets början. Den ökande medvetenheten om den byggda miljöns omfattande bidrag till samhällets miljöpåverkan i stort har spelat stor roll för denna utveckling. Verktygen förväntas ha en betydelsefull roll i att driva på och underlätta miljöförbättringar och omdaning av marknaden i bygg- och fastighetssektorn. Denna avhandling utforskar olika metodaspekter för verktygsutveckling och bygger på erfarenheterna från två stora svenska metodutvecklingsprojekt för miljöbedömning av byggnader, EcoEffect och ByggaBo:s miljöklassning av byggnader. Båda dessa verktyg togs fram i samarbete med ett stort antal representanter från bygg- och fastighetssektorn, då verktygen syftade till praktisk användning. Ett antal metodaspekter utforskas och diskuteras i avhandlingen. I artikel 3 föreslås och testas ett angreppssätt för systematiskt urval av miljöaspekter som ska bedömas av ett verktyg och dessutom föreslås här och i artikel 2 ett systematiskt tillvägagångssätt för att välja indikatorer för praktiskt användning utifrån både teoretiska (t ex. validitet) och praktiska (t ex. kostnad) kriterier. Ett angreppssätt för att underlätta kommunikation av komplexa miljöbedömningsresultat presenteras genom exempel från 26 flerfamiljshus i artikel 4. Detta angreppssätt möjliggör att redovisa en byggnads ‘miljöeffektivitet’ i ett diagram utan att behöva vikta de två disparata miljöaspekterna energianvändning och innemiljö. Artikel 5 tar upp användning av miljöindikatorer för internt arbete i fastighetsförvaltande organisationer genom litteraturöversikter inom områdena utvärdering av miljöprestanda och organisationsteori samt genom jämförelser med praktiska fallstudier. Verktygen EcoEffect (artikel 1) och nuvarande version av ByggaBo:s miljöklassningssystem sammanfattas också och jämförs i avhandlingen. Genom ett antal fallstudier av verkliga byggnader och erfarenheterna från EcoEffect- och ByggaBo-projekten utvärderas frågor som insamling av indata, beräkningsmetoder och olika praktiska tillämpningar i avhandlingen. Dålig tillgång på indata begränsar ibland möjligheterna att göra miljöbedömningar. Förbättrade interna rutiner samt utveckling av nya typer av databaser inom bygg- och fastighetssektorn kommer med största sannolikhet att underlätta miljöbedömningar i framtiden. Granskning av ett stort antal miljöindikatorer i artikel 3 (och 2) och litteratur på området visade att när miljöindikatorer och miljöklassningsmetoder tagits fram, har miljörelevansen hos dessa sällan haft högsta prioritet. Ett övergripande mål för denna avhandling har därför varit att bidra med rekommendationer som kan stärka miljörelevansen och trovärdigheten hos liknande indikatorer och verktyg. Några av de angreppssätt som föreslås är tillämpliga mer generellt också för andra typer av miljöbedömningar; t ex. hur miljörelevanta miljöindikatorer kan väljas, hur både teoretiska och praktiska överväganden kan hanteras på ett systematiskt sätt vid liknande verktygsutveckling, angreppssätt för viktning och aggregering av resultat samt användning av ett livscykelperspektiv. Vid miljöbedömning av byggnader bör också funktionsbaserade indikatorer i första hand väljas snarare än sådana som baseras på specifika tekniska utföranden. En trolig utveckling är att nya typer av användare i större utsträckning kommer att efterfråga den information som miljöbedömningsverktyg för byggnader kan tillhandahålla. Det kan handla om t ex. myndigheter, husköpare och ekonomiska incitamentsgivare såsom banker. Av denna anledning är de frågor som rör metodutveckling och tas upp i avhandlingen, klart betydelsefulla för att stärka noggrannhet, robusthet och trovärdighet i framtida utveckling av miljöbedömningsverktyg för byggnader.
QC 20100601
Miljöklassning av byggnader
EcoEffect - miljövärdering av byggnader
Miljöstyrning med miljöindikatorer i fastighetsförvaltning
14
COSS, BENJAMIN EDWARD. "Designing Out Crime : Internal & External Aspects of Safety." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1212089873.
15
Price, Keith Dale. "The integration of house and garden : a villa." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/23171.
16
Graves, Linda. "Architecture of place and mythos." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/23923.
17
Bertrand, Raymond docteur en droit. "Meaning and the built environment : an ethnographic approach to architectural programming." Thesis, McGill University, 1990. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=61260.
Abstract:
The importance of programming the built environment is increasingly recognized, mostly because of the growing complexity of architecture. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to the meaning of architecture for its users. This thesis reviews the research on meaning in architecture, and proposes new directions in the investigation of meaning within the process of architectural programming.
18
Graham, Tennille. "Economics of protecting road infrastructure from dryland salinity in Western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0207.
Abstract:
[Truncated abstract] The salinisation of agricultural land, urban infrastructure and natural habitat is a serious and increasing problem in southern Australia. Government funding has been allocated to the problem to attempt to reduce substantial costs associated with degradation of agricultural and non-agricultural assets. Nevertheless, Government funding has been small relative to the size of the problem and therefore expenditure needs to be carefully targeted to interventions that will achieve the greatest net benefits. For intervention to be justified, the level of salinity resulting from private landholder decisions must exceed the level that is optimal from the point of view of society as a whole, and the costs of government intervention must be less than the benefits gained by society. This study aims to identify situations when government intervention is justified to manage dryland salinity that threatens to affect road infrastructure (a public asset). A key gap in the environmental economics literature is research that considers dryland salinity as a pollution that has off-site impacts on public assets. This research developed two hydrological/economic models to achieve this objective. The first was a simple economic model representing external costs from dryland salinity. This model was used to identify those variables that have the biggest impact on the net-benefits possible from government intervention. The second model was a combined hydro/economic model that represents the external costs from dryland salinity on road infrastructure. The hydrological component of the model applied the method of metamodelling to simplify a complex, simulation model to equations that could be easily included in the economic model. The key variables that have the biggest impact on net-benefits of dryland salinity mitigation were the value of the off-site asset and the time lag before the onset of dryland salinity in the absence of intervention. ... In the case study of dryland salinity management in the Date Creek subcatchment of Western Australia, the economics of vegetation-based and engineering strategies were investigated for road infrastructure. In general, the engineering strategies were more economically beneficial than vegetation-based strategies. In the case-study catchment, the cost of dryland salinity affecting roads was low relative to the cost to agricultural land. Nevertheless, some additional change in land management to reduce impacts on roads (beyond the changes justified by agricultural land alone) was found to be optimal in some cases. Reinforcing the results from the simple model, a key factor influencing the economics of dryland salinity management was the urgency of the problem. If costs from dryland salinity were not expected to occur until 30 years or more, the optimal response in the short-term was to do nothing. Overall, the study highlights the need for governments to undertake comprehensive and case-specific analysis before committing resources to the management of dryland salinity affecting roads. There were many scenarios in the modelling analysis where the benefits of interventions would not be sufficient to justify action.
19
Lazenby, Victoria S. "Personal exposure of children to formaldehyde in Perth, Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2010. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1742.
Abstract:
Formaldehyde is a common air pollutant that tends to be found in elevated concentrations in indoor air. Exposure to formaldehyde has the potential to impact on respiratory health, particularly amongst sensitive individuals and populations, including children. Children spend most of their time indoors at home, however, there are very little data on the contribution of formaldehyde concentrations in homes to personal exposure in children. The principal aim of this cross sectional study was to investigate whether the domestic environment is the most significant source of personal exposure of formaldehyde in children. Forty-one primary school children (aged between 8 and 12) were recruited from two areas of Perth, Western Australia. Each child wore a personal passive formaldehyde sampler over a 24 hour period on two separate occasions, winter and summer. Samplers were also located indoors at home, outdoors at centralised locations and indoors at school for the corresponding period. A questionnaire about lifestyle and behaviour and a daily activity diary were completed for each participant. Passive samplers used filter papers impregnated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhadrazine (DNPH), with formaldehyde detected using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). In winter there was a wide range of personal exposure concentrations, with geometric mean concentrations of 9.7ppb at Duncraig and 11.5ppb at Calista. Indoor geometric mean concentrations at Duncraig were l0.lppb, with outdoor and classroom concentrations below the analytical limit of detection (4ppb). At Calista, mean indoor concentrations were 14.2ppb. The outdoor concentrations were below the limit of detection and school concentrations were 8.0ppb. Summer monitoring occurred during mild meteorological conditions and were very similar to winter results. Geometric mean personal exposure concentrations were 9.2ppb at Duncraig and 8.0ppb at Calista. Indoor geometric mean concentrations at Duncraig were 9.0ppb, with outdoor and classroom concentrations below the limit of detection (4ppb). At Calista, mean indoor concentrations were 9.9ppb, outdoor was below detection limit and school concentrations were l5.2ppb. There were strong correlations between personal exposure and domestic concentrations at both Duncraig and Calista in winter (r2 = 0.73 and 0.88, respectively) and in summer (r2 = 0.67 and 0.84, respectively). The correlation for both seasons combined was significant, with a coefficient of r2 = 0. 78. A time weighted model estimated personal exposure concentrations for each participant using stationary measures in combination with time activity data. These estimates of exposure correlated significantly with measured personal exposure concentrations, with a coefficient of r2 = 0.80 for all data combined. The indoor domestic environment was found to be the most important source of formaldehyde exposure for children. Time weighting was found to provide a stronger estimate of personal exposure than indoor air monitoring alone, although the time weighted model was not a significant improvement over the indoor measure alone.
20
Hewitt, Mark S. "Alternative rehabilitation techniques and sustainable outcomes from mining using appropriate environmental management and mine closure planning in an arid region of Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/250.
Abstract:
The subject of this thesis is the development of alternative approaches to environmental management and mine closure plans using case examples of the Big Bell/Cue Mining District and as a working example, an area of unconfined washout of historical gold-mine process tailings located in this arid inland region of Western Australia. This is considered appropriate in the light of the social and political thrust for industry to develop simultaneously positive economic, social and environmental outcomes from their activities. The Big Bell mining operation ceased mining in June 2003 and the Mine Closure Plan reflected a classical approach of minimization of public liability and strict compliance with legislative requirements. During the life of the modern mine the approach to rehabilitation was similarly classical in its approach It is intended for this document to inform the mining industry using the case example of the now closed Big Bell Mine as to how greater long-term outcomes may have been achieved for the State and the region for the future. This thesis specifically investigates alternative ways to approach rehabilitation in arid areas of Western Australia using the washout area as an example and trial area. This thesis has approached the issue by addressing the quantification of what has occurred through the gathering of baseline data of the case study area and then by the implementation of a series of relevant trials to identify appropriate eco-functional process-sensitive methods for rehabilitation as an alternative to current industry practice. Trials investigating the use of "retention banks" and "clay/seed balls" and the use of ex-mine milling waste carbon were conducted to investigate relevant possible techniques suitable for arid mine-site waste dump rehabilitation. Data analysis indicated that the main reason for the high level of degradation within the case study area is due to the smothering effect of the fine clayey tails cover and due to acidity of the tailings. A detailed examination of 92 soil samples found water infiltration of tails-washed areas as half that of control areas. Acidity of alluvium has declined from pH 5.2 to 3.8. The acidity has penetrated at depth to hardpan. Trials were commenced to rehabilitate the area using a combination of earthworks (retention banks and· scarification), pH- adjustment (using ex-mill carbon and crushed lime), and the use of native seed pelletised into clay-balls. The introduction of ex-mill carbon was shown to be effective in ameliorating pH in the tails wash area and improving its capacity to regenerate. Considering it is a widely available waste product with the gold mining industry it should be seriously considered in its application for rehabilitation purposes, and specifically in areas affected by severe acidification and desertification particularly by mismanaged tailings with pyrite content. The use of clay balls should also be subjected to further investigation. It is at least equal to the traditional use of raw seed and fertilizer with immediate and abundant rainfall. As this almost never occurs, it should prove to be superior, in delivering higher rates of viability for seed used. The thesis then attempts to integrate this study within the context of the wider issues of environmental management, specifically the best practice of mine closure plans and the adoption of sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes from mining as an integral part of responsible operational environmental management plans. The thesis argues that the environmental management planning and specifically the Mine Closure Plan should not waste the myriad of opportunities that are the by-product of mining for the long-term sustainable benefit of the wider region. It is argued that if mining companies are serious about sustainability, then they cannot continue with short-term cycles of mining and closure. However to be realistic it will take concerted willingness from all stakeholders to pursue these outcomes. While a given mining operation can offer extensive resources and assets to support this approach the commercial and legislative pressures of core mining activities necessarily mean that mines are in fact encouraged to simply return the environment back to as natural state after operations are complete. Invariably this means hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure are levelled and scrapped to avoid all future liability, whilst the potential for sustainable outcomes is essentially ignored. The same Government that enforces the Mining Act and has a State Sustainability Strategy imposes the conditions which create unimaginative classical mine closure plans. Government, industry and the residents of regions must work together to seriously develop sustainable outcomes to mining.
21
Boyd, Richard Harold. "The death of the inner city: the contemporary American city and the problem of space." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/23734.
22
Lalak, Nadia. "Restorative benefits of the natural environment : enhancing restoration of directed attention & stress reduction through raising levels of cognitive awareness & physical encounter." University of Sydney, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/6622.
Abstract:
Philosophy(PhD)Interaction with the natural environment has a vital role in human well-being - physical, social, spiritual and psychological - and yet in the twenty-first century many people lead a way of life totally separated from natural environments. Built environments and the increasing complexity of technological tasks necessitate increased demands for attention and a constant processing of information. Adaptation to such demands can result in depletion of psychological resources leading to stress and mental fatigue. Psychological resources must then be “restored” as they are critical for effective functioning. A review of restorative environments literature suggests there is further scope for enhancing restorative opportunities. A hypothetical model of enhanced restoration is proposed. It posits that an individual assuming a more active role, through raised cognitive awareness and physical encounter in the person-natural environment interaction will experience enhanced restoration in terms of restoration of directed attention and reduction of stress. The research hypotheses are tested using a quantitative field-based pretest-posttest experimental design with a sample of 100 volunteers. Data is collected through computerised objective and subjective measurement scales of attention and affect. Data is analysed through ANOVA. The major finding is that posttest scores improved compared to pretest scores in all 3 attention tests, 2 subjective attention scores and both affect measures, averaged over all 4 intervention groups. This means that the participants’ directed attention improved and they considered themselves to be less stressed regardless of the allocated experimental intervention group. Therefore, the most effective intervention in improving directed attention fatigue and reducing stress was raising an individual’s level of physical encounter with the natural environment. Further research is warranted, into the contribution that an individual can make to enhance the restorative process, and the need for education to raise awareness of the importance of the natural environment as a valuable (health-care) resource.
23
Sorensen, Paul Robert. "The Stone Mountain tollway; the Presidential Parkway; Slade, Jake, Val and the boss: the happenstance of making." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/21663.
24
Chiang, Hong-man Michael, and 蔣匡文. "Fengshui planning and architecture design of Beijing (1412-1911) = Beijing feng shui jian zhu gui hua." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/194609.
25
Cox, William E. "Towards a genius loci : Atlanta architecture and urbanism." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/30739.
26
Larwood, Andrew John. "Cleaner production : promoting and achieving it in the South Australian foundry industry." Title page, table of contents and abstract only, 2000. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09ENV/09envl336.pdf.
Abstract:
Bibliography: leaves 123-130. The literature search and the findings from the investigation have been used to provide recommendations for a sector specific cooperative approach using regulation, self-regulation, voluntary agreements, economic incentatives and educational/information strategies to promote and acheive cleaner production in the South Australian foundry industry.
27
Burroughs, Gary Leslie. "The response to environmental economic drivers by civil engineering contractors in South Australia." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2000. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09ENV/09envb972.pdf.
Abstract:
Bibliography: leaves 91-93. Examines the response of two civil engineering construction contractors in South Australia to environmental economic conditions and market requirements using primarily an action research methodology whilst the researcher was engaged as the environmental manager at both corporations.
28
Peel, Samantha. "Indicators for sustainability : Local Agenda 21 in Adelaide." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1999. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09ENV/09envp374.pdf.
Abstract:
Bibliography: leaves 99-105. Examines the ways in which local governments in the Adelaide region have used the Local Agenda 21 program, with particular focus on public participation and the development of indicators. Argues that sustainability requires the support and involvement of the widest possible community, a necessity that will not be realised until public participation, particularly involving those groups with a reduced 'social voice' (such as women, youth and minority cultural/ethnic groups), becomes an integral part of the local government's modernisation agenda. Concludes with a summary of the main issues and a set of recommendations for future research and action.
29
Arora, Sandeep. "An evolutionary architecture : adapted, interactive, and effectively integrated design." Virtual Press, 2007. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1379439.
Abstract:
Bio-climatic design is essential to all architecture because buildings consume large amount of energy to maintain comfortable indoor environments. To achieve this goal, we need a model that can be a source of inspiration as well as knowledge to motivate and help architects in creating such architecture.Many designers have taken inspiration from nature and explored various ways of mimicking its models. In this creative project, I looked at various entities in nature to understand how they acclimatize to respective climatic settings. Based on several observations, I extracted Nature's design principles and applied those to the bio-climatic design of buildings. These principles are helpful in developing a general understanding for making our buildings responsive to climate.Department of Architecture
30
Marshall, Frank Allison. "The stability of shape grammar applied to a bungalow built for change." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/21654.
31
Hayes, Mark Philip. "The integration of regionalist design strategies into an architecture of meaning." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/23984.
32
Bhullar, Malinder K. "Development of a new measure of environmental congruence to complement a revised Prison Preference Inventory." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2005. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/650.
Abstract:
Despite a 60-year history of investigation, little is understood of how physical and/or social aspects of the prison environment work directly to influence adjustment behaviour of prisoners. A major study in 1972 by Huns Toch and colleagues led to the development of the Prison Preference Inventory (PPI). This was designed to elicit a prisoner respondent's hierarchy of psychological needs while imprisoned. Based on Murray's needs-press model, Toch argued that each prisoner had a unique configuration of eight major needs (termed environmental concerns) namely Safety, Support, Activity, Social Stimulation, Emotional Feedback, Privacy, Freedom and Structure.
33
Riley, Sarah Duncan. "Color characteristics of the natural environment : a case study /." Thesis, This resource online, 1993. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-09192009-040528/.
34
Heshmatti, Gholam Ali. "Plant and soil indicators for detecting zones around water points in arid perennial chenopod shrublands of South Australia /." Title page, contents and summary only, 1997. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phh584.pdf.
Abstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Botany, 1997.Errata page is behind title page (p. i). Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-156).
35
May, Murray, University of Western Sydney, of Arts Education and Social Sciences College, and School of Social Ecology and Lifelong Learning. "Unpacking aviation futures : an ecological perspective on consumption, sustainability and air transport." THESIS_CAESS_SELL_May_M.xml, 2004. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/645.
Abstract:
This inquiry examines aviation futures, within the broad context of sustainable consumption and ecological sustainability. Increasing mobility and rapid growth of road and air transport have been identified as key consumption issues, especially in relation to calls for deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Economics and globalisation concerns have dominated recent academic studies of air transport. There is a growing critique, however, of growth-based aviation futures on a range of ecological, resource, security and health grounds. This inquiry adds to that critique. Its primary research aim is to identify and articulate visions and policies for aviation futures within an ecological framework. Analysis of relevant literatures, including those on sustainable consumption, transport and tourism, is complemented by an analysis of aviation and tourism growth trends worldwide, with specific reference to Asia-Pacific and Australian data. A case study of the privatisation and expansion of Canberra International Airport in the Australian Capital Territory is used to provide a global-local link and to address the airport aspects of aviation. The range of visions and policy measures are finally considered within broad consciousness and frameworks strategies for the transition to sustainability. An important conclusion is the strong need for independent institutions such as policy bodies and think tanks - working in conjunction with community groups- to develop and promote policy discourses and futures visions that challenge the prevailing hegemony of the business-political nexus.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
36
Perez, Ricardo J. "Setting, arousal and interpersonal attraction." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/23202.
37
Etchegoyen, Emilio G. "Historical context as it affects the base of the skyscraper." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/24114.
38
Hall, Sandra. "The contribution of heavy industry and commercial activity at Canning Vale to the loads of nitrogen and phosphorus released in the Bannister Creek catchment area." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/307.
Abstract:
Stormwater is recognised as a transport mechanism for pollutants. Pollutants enter stormwater drains via surface washoff, subsurface flow or direct discharge. Landuse is reported to affect the quantity of pollutants released into stormwater drains. In Australia, the contribution of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and surfactants from industrial areas to surface drainage is poorly understood. Previous research has mainly focused on the quality of water leaving residential and agricultural areas. In Western Australia, there is growing concern over the health of the Swan-Canning River system, which is seeing signs of eutrophication. Runoff and discharge from residential, commercial, and industrial areas influence the quality of water in the Swan-Canning River system.
A study of nutrient release was undertaken for the eastern sector of the Canning Vale Industrial Area, to determine the contribution of industry to nutrient loads received by the Canning River system, between August 2001 and 2002. Data was collected three times a week using a point sampling regime. Diurnal and storm event variability were also tested. Data collected from the eastern sector of the industrial area was compared to that released from the entire Bannister Creek Catchment area.
Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations downstream of industrial areas have been reported at 45mg L-1 and 15mg L-1 respectively (Thomas et al, 1997; John, 2000). In this study, the median concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus downstream of industry in Bannister Creek, at the Tom Bateman Reserve Detention Basin, were 1.32mg L-1 and 0.11mg L-1 respectively. Concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus were not indicative of point source discharge. Nutrient concentrations reported in Bannister Creek in this study, have been consistent with data collected and reported in other studies i.e. Donohue et al, 1992 and Jakowyna, 2002.
Nitrogen and phosphorus loads released from the entire Bannister Creek Catchment area, exceeded loads previously reported in other studies i.e. Donohue et al ( 1994); Donohue et al, 1992 and Jakowyna, 2002. An estimated 32890kg of nitrogen and 2085kg of phosphorus was released from Bannister Creek Catchment during the study. Rainfall during the study period was reflective of the drying climate Perth has been experiencing over the last ten years. Nitrogen and phosphorus released from Bannister Creek during the study period are likely to be underestimated, as they do not include the data collected for a significant storm event recorded at Hybanthus Road on the 16.4.02. During this 1- 2/1-5 ARI storm event 1586kg of nitrogen and 185kg of phosphorus were exported from Bannister Creek, producing loads ten times greater than that estimated during the point sampling regime. The later values were used in the calculation of annual loads to maintain consistency between the study sites. Despite the significant load of nutrients released from the catchment on 16.4.02, rainfall was not the main transport mechanism for nitrogen and phosphorus, indicated by the weak correlation e.g. R2 > 0.1. Base flow was determined to be the most significant pathway of nutrient export.
The concentrations and loads of nitrogen and phosphorus released from the industrial area were low, but the contribution to catchment loading was important. The rate of nutrient release per unit of area was higher from the eastern sector of the Canning Vale Industrial Area than the entire Bannister Creek Catchment Area. Nitrogen was released at a rate of 4163kg km2 yr from the industrial area and 134 2. 86kg km2 yr for the entire catchment. Phosphorus was the same. From the industrial area it was released at a rate of 397kg km2 yr compared to a rate of 94.2kg km2 yr from the entire Bannister Creek Catchment Area.
The study revealed the need to retain nutrients within the catchment. Studies on stormwater management suggest that this can be achieved through Water Sensitive Urban Design and Best Management Practices. Both strategies work on the principle of retaining and recycling nutrients within the catchment area. Work is currently been undertaken to meet the objectives of these two management strategies in Bannister Creek. Work has included the removal of the southwestern bank of the Tom Bateman reserve detention basin to create a meandering wetland, and the downgrading of the banks along Bywood Way, Lynwood to create a Living Stream. Further studies should focus on the effectiveness of these strategies.
39
Yuen, Siu-hei Lawrence, and 袁兆禧. "Sustainability refines architecture: a demonstration project in Wanchai." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2001. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31986250.
40
Banham, Brenton James. "The role of MFP Australia in mangrove conservation." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1992. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09ENV/09envb216.pdf.
41
Jordan, Matthew. "Procuring industrial pollution control : the South Australian case, 1836-1975." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2001. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phj816.pdf.
42
Bennetts, Helen. "Environmental issues and house design in Australia : images from theory and practice / Helen Bennetts." Thesis, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/19676.
Abstract:
Bibliography: leaves 172-182.viii, 183 leaves, [96] p. : ill. ; 30 cm.
Proposes that there are fundamental and inadequately recognised differences between architectural practice and the basis of much design advice about environmental issues in house design. Concludes by discussing the implications of these differences for understanding how environmental issues are currently addressed in house design in Australia.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Architecture, 2000
43
Broadbent, James. "Aspects of domestic architecture in New South Wales 1788-1843." Phd thesis, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/138535.
44
Tucker, Edwin Sallu. "Agro-ecological studies on diquat-paraquat resistant weed species / Edwin Sallu Tucker." 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/19112.
45
Tucker, Edwin Sallu. "Agro-ecological studies on diquat-paraquat resistant weed species / Edwin Sallu Tucker." Thesis, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/19112.
46
Dougherty, Warwick John. "The mobilisation of soil phosphorus in surface runoff from intensively managed pastures in South-East Australia." 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/37852.
Abstract:
The application of substantial quantities of phosphorus (P) has been required to increase productivity on many Australian soils. Unfortunately, these applications have often resulted in increased concentrations of P in surface runoff that contributes to excessive algal growth in surface waters and consequently a decline in their quality. The concentrations of P in runoff from intensively managed pastures are often high (1-5 mg/L) and typically at least an order of magnitude higher than water quality targets. Although a substantial amount of research has been devoted to the problem of P accumulation and mobilisation in arable systems ( in which P is typically mobilised by the action of raindrop impact and subsequently transported in particulate form ), there has been substantially less research in intensively managed pasture systems. Consequently, there is a paucity of knowledge concerning the fundamental processes and factors responsible for P in runoff from these systems and a dearth of truly effective remedial strategies. In this thesis, the accumulation of P in soil under intensively managed pastures used for dairying and the processes responsible for its mobilisation in surface runoff were investigated. This research was undertaken at two research sites in South - east Australia, i.e. Camden in New South Wales and Flaxley in South Australia. A number of factors relating to scale and hydrology may influence the processes of P mobilisation and its concentration in runoff. A comparison was made of the forms and concentrations of P in runoff between a typical rainfall simulation methodology and large runoff plots. The effect of rainfall intensity on the forms and concentrations of P was also investigated. The concentrations of P in runoff from small - scale, high - intensity rainfall simulations were on average 33 % lower than those from large plots ( approximating hillslopes ) although the processes of mobilisation ( as evidenced by runoff P forms ) were similar. Increasing rainfall intensity resulted in decreasing P concentrations, but similar forms of P. It was hypothesised that changes in hydrological characteristics ( residence time and depth of runoff ) were responsible for the differences in the P concentrations. A model of P mobilisation ( incorporating hydrological and P - release characteristics ) was developed and shown to successfully predict runoff P concentrations under a range of rainfall intensities. These findings and the subsequent model were used in the successful modelling of landscape scale nutrient exports based on rainfall simulation data as part of a separate, but complementary project. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that Australian soils are relatively ' leaky ' in terms of P in runoff compared to soils overseas. Consequently, comparisons of the labile soil P characteristics and soil P - runoff P relationships were made between Australian soils and soils of similar fertility from the USA, UK and New Zealand ( using both experimental data and data sourced from the literature ). It was concluded that Australian soils leak more P than soils of similar fertility in the USA, UK and New Zealand, although it was beyond the scope of the thesis to make more detailed comparisons between Australian and overseas soils. The accumulation and mobilisation of P in two soils used for intensive pasture production in Australia were investigated. In intensive pasture systems P accumulated in the shallowest zones of the soil and principally as inorganic P. The concentrations of labile P were 3 - 5 times higher in the top 0.01 m than in the top 0.1 m. Using a simple model, it was estimated that only the top several mm of soil influence runoff P concentrations. The dominant form of P in runoff was shown to be orthophosphate although in low to moderate fertility soils, dissolved organic P can constitute a substantial proportion of the P in runoff. These results confirm the need to reduce the pool of P available for mobilisation in the immediate topsoil in order to reduce runoff P concentrations. Because P is stratified, it was hypothesised that one method to reduce the pool of P available for mobilisation is to de - stratify the soil ( i.e. mix the topsoil ). The effect of this technique on runoff P concentrations was investigated in laboratory and rainfall simulation experiments. These experiments revealed that reductions in runoff P concentrations between 45 and 70 % can be achieved by de - stratification of soils under permanent pastures. It was hypothesised that the benefits of de - stratification could be maximised using a combination of information relating to catchment hydrology and the spatial distribution of soil P and that this would result in large reductions in P exports with a relatively small degree of inconvenience to land managers. Given the limited opportunities identified in previous research to reduce P exports in runoff, the strategic utilisation of de - stratification is a potentially important option in water quality management for the dairy industry and warrants further investigation.Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2006.
47
Dougherty, Warwick John. "The mobilisation of soil phosphorus in surface runoff from intensively managed pastures in South-East Australia." Thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/37852.
Abstract:
The application of substantial quantities of phosphorus (P) has been required to increase productivity on many Australian soils. Unfortunately, these applications have often resulted in increased concentrations of P in surface runoff that contributes to excessive algal growth in surface waters and consequently a decline in their quality. The concentrations of P in runoff from intensively managed pastures are often high (1-5 mg/L) and typically at least an order of magnitude higher than water quality targets. Although a substantial amount of research has been devoted to the problem of P accumulation and mobilisation in arable systems ( in which P is typically mobilised by the action of raindrop impact and subsequently transported in particulate form ), there has been substantially less research in intensively managed pasture systems. Consequently, there is a paucity of knowledge concerning the fundamental processes and factors responsible for P in runoff from these systems and a dearth of truly effective remedial strategies.
In this thesis, the accumulation of P in soil under intensively managed pastures used for dairying and the processes responsible for its mobilisation in surface runoff were investigated. This research was undertaken at two research sites in South - east Australia, i.e. Camden in New South Wales and Flaxley in South Australia.
A number of factors relating to scale and hydrology may influence the processes of P
mobilisation and its concentration in runoff. A comparison was made of the forms and concentrations of P in runoff between a typical rainfall simulation methodology and large runoff plots. The effect of rainfall intensity on the forms and concentrations of P was also investigated. The concentrations of P in runoff from small - scale, high - intensity rainfall simulations were on average 33 % lower than those from large plots ( approximating hillslopes ) although the processes of mobilisation ( as evidenced by runoff P forms ) were similar. Increasing rainfall intensity resulted in decreasing P concentrations, but similar forms of P. It was hypothesised that changes in hydrological characteristics ( residence time and depth of runoff ) were responsible for the differences in the P concentrations. A model of P mobilisation ( incorporating hydrological and P - release characteristics ) was developed and shown to successfully predict runoff P concentrations under a range of rainfall intensities. These findings and the subsequent model were used in the successful modelling of landscape scale nutrient exports based on rainfall simulation data as part of a separate, but complementary project.
There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that Australian soils are relatively ' leaky ' in terms of P in runoff compared to soils overseas. Consequently, comparisons of the labile soil P characteristics and soil P - runoff P relationships were made between Australian soils and soils of similar fertility from the USA, UK and New Zealand ( using both experimental data and data sourced from the literature ). It was concluded that Australian soils leak more P than soils of similar fertility in the USA, UK and New Zealand, although it was beyond the scope of the thesis to make more detailed comparisons between Australian and overseas soils.
The accumulation and mobilisation of P in two soils used for intensive pasture production in Australia were investigated. In intensive pasture systems P accumulated in the shallowest zones of the soil and principally as inorganic P. The concentrations of labile P were 3 - 5 times higher in the top 0.01 m than in the top 0.1 m. Using a simple model, it was estimated that only the top several mm of soil influence runoff P concentrations. The dominant form of P in runoff was shown to be orthophosphate although in low to moderate fertility soils, dissolved organic P can constitute a substantial proportion of the P in runoff. These results confirm the need to reduce the pool of P available for mobilisation in the immediate topsoil in order to reduce runoff P concentrations.
Because P is stratified, it was hypothesised that one method to reduce the pool of P available for mobilisation is to de - stratify the soil ( i.e. mix the topsoil ). The effect of this technique on runoff P concentrations was investigated in laboratory and rainfall simulation experiments. These experiments revealed that reductions in runoff P concentrations between 45 and 70 % can be achieved by de - stratification of soils under permanent pastures. It was hypothesised that the benefits of de - stratification could be maximised using a combination of information relating to catchment hydrology and the spatial distribution of soil P and that this would result in large reductions in P exports with a relatively small degree of inconvenience to land managers. Given the limited opportunities identified in previous research to reduce P exports in runoff, the strategic utilisation of de - stratification is a potentially important option in water quality management for the dairy industry and warrants further investigation.Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2006.
48
Johnson, D. H., University of Western Sydney, of Arts Education and Social Sciences College, and School of Social Ecology and Lifelong Learning. "Masculinities in rural Australia : gender, culture, and environment." 2001. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/21148.
Abstract:
This research examines first the consequences of a learned, individualistic construction of masculinity as it exists within an aging population of farm men, and second the influence of this form of masculinity on possibilities for change in human relationships and industry practices. It is suggested that in a context of diminishing economic power and political influence, the prevailing model of masculinity has disabled the capacity of many farm men to manage change proactively. It is argued that evidence of a necessary change from instrumental, to-values and feelings-based engagement with human and natural systems has been slow to appear. A range of beliefs and attitudes are identified from the research data.Alternatives to traditional models of masculinity are examined. The research has been conducted using a Social Ecology approach, in which the personal autonomy arising from a coherent integration of values and beliefs informs our approach to all human and natural systems. Some possible consequences of such a change in personal orientation are explored, in relation to agricultural practices, community viability, and the fostering of social capital, and reference is made to alternative forms of community organisation.Master of Science (Hons)
49
Massy, Charles John. "Transforming the Earth : a study in the change of agricultural mindscapes." Phd thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/115203.
Abstract:
This thesis links three interconnected stories relevant to humanity's future: 1. Exposition of a different form of agriculture; 2. An exploration of the nature of transformational change; and 3. Revelation of a new way of regenerating Earth via the melding of new and old knowledge. A confluence of multiple and interconnected crises threatens the self-regulating capacity of the planet and thus the future of humanity. Food security is one of these crises, placing agriculture front and centre in addressing this challenge. Agriculture is problematic because practices integral to industrial agriculture are known to inhibit the continuing provision of essential ecosystem services (including adequate healthy food and water). This thesis explores both the reasons why traditional agricultural practices fail, and the rise of a change-oriented new-organic agriculture that is taking their place. The study population comprised seventy-nine innovative Australian farmers who have successfully developed ruminant-based, agro-ecological practices that cover broad areas of land. The challenge was to find how and why this group of agriculturalists undertook transformational changes in their practices. Preliminary investigation suggested farmers' belief-systems were central to the answer. Multi-method research based on critical, open trans-disciplinary inquiry was used to analyse interviews, documents, and historical material. The study focused on the interconnection of language and metaphor, the role of discourses, and the power-knowledge nexus in the formation of personal psychological constructs. A study of Western thought since 1500 revealed that an earlier organic view of the cosmos was replaced by science- and technology-based mercantile capitalism which led to an embedding of the mechanical metaphor in Western thinking. This metaphor regards nature as dead and passive, and something to be reconstructed, dominated, and controlled: as opposed to the ancient organic metaphor which saw the cosmos as a living female earth, to be nurtured and sustained. Analysis of this metaphor shift revealed that major personal psychological constructs appear to drive society and land-use practices. Socially-embedded constructs have regularly been found resistant to change. Mechanical constructs, deeply entrenched and unrecognised by most farmers, are behind harmful land-use practices in Australia. By contrast, analysis of the evolving regenerative agricultural discourse revealed startling differences in language and metaphor. Transformative agriculturalists have overthrown the mechanical metaphor and thinking for what is termed the new-organic. This comprises a bio-philic, earth regenerating and transformative frame of 'mind' with associated practices that combines new agro-ecological knowledge and rediscovered ancient knowledge (the pre-mechanical organic). This fundamental transformation involved farmers changing their personal construct systems. Transformative agriculturalists had reflected on their situation and undertaken social learning within communities of practice. Here they exhibited different ways of learning, thinking and feeling, exemplified in their use of the trans-disciplinary imagination: the bringing together of multiple knowledge in a synergy of new ideas. Given the urgency of the sustainability challenge and the promise offered by a shift to sustainable-regenerative land-use, these findings have major implications for agricultural practice and extension services. While transformative change cannot be forced, nevertheless the ground can be prepared for change.
50
Hawkins, Kathryn Morton. "Attitudes towards eucalypt clearcutting among Australian foresters : a social ecological analysis." Phd thesis, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/143457.