Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Catchment based conservation planning'

Conservation science in rivers is still lagging behind its terrestrial and marine counterparts, despite increasing threats to freshwater biodiversity and extinction rates being estimated as five times higher than in terrestrial ecosystems. Internationally, most protected rivers have been assigned reserve status in the framework of terrestrial conservation plans, neglecting catchment effects of disturbance. While freshwater conservation tools are mainly index based (e.g. richness, rarity), modern terrestrial and marine conservation planning methods use complementarity-based algorithms - proven to be most efficient at protecting a large number of taxa for the least cost. The few complementarity-based lotic conservation efforts all use broad river classifications instead of biota as targets, a method heavily disputed in the literature. They also ignore current condition and future vulnerability. It was the aim of this thesis to develop a framework for conservation planning that: a) accounts for the connected nature of rivers b) is complementarity based and uses biota as targets c) integrates current status and future vulnerability I developed two different approaches using macroinvertebrate datasets from Australia, Canada and the USA. The first new method was a site/based two-tiered approach integrating condition and conservation value, based on RIVPACS/AUSRIVAS � a modelling technique that predicts macroinvertebrate composition. The condition stage assesses biodiversity loss by estimating a site-specific expected assemblage and comparing it to the actual observed assemblage. Sites with significant biodiversity loss are flagged for restoration, or other management actions. All other sites progress to the conservation stage, in which an index of site-specific taxonomic rarity is calculated. This second index (O/E BIODIV) assesses the number of rare taxa (as defined by <50% probability of occurrence). Using this approach on a dataset near Sydney, NSW, Australia, I was able to identify three regions: 1) an area in need of restoration; 2) a region of high conservation value and 3) an area that had high conservation potential if protection and restoration measures could counteract present disturbance. However, a second trial run with three datasets from the USA and Canada highlighted problems with O/E (BIODIV). If common taxa are predicted at lower probabilities of occurrence (p<50%) because of model error, they enter the index and change O/E (BIODIV). Therefore, despite an attractive theoretical grounding, the application of O/E (BIODIV) will be restricted to datasets where strong environmental gradients explain a large quantity of variation in the data and permit accurate predictions of rare taxa. It also requires extensive knowledge of regional species pools to ensure that introduced organisms are not counted in the index. The second approach was a proper adaptation of terrestrial complementarity algorithms and an extension to the Irreplaceability-Vulnerability framework by Margules and Pressey (2000). For this large-scale method, distributions for 400 invertebrate taxa were modeled across 1854 subcatchments in Victoria, Australia using Generalised Additive Models (GAMs). The best heuristic algorithm to estimate conservation value was determined by calculating the minimum area needed to cover all 400 taxa. Solutions were restricted to include rules for the protection of whole catchments upstream of a subcatchment that contained the target taxon. A summed rarity algorithm proved to be most efficient, beating the second best solution by 100 000 hectares. To protect 90% of the taxa, only 2% of the study area need to be protected. This increases to 10% of the study area when full representation of the targets is required. Irreplaceability was calculated by running the heuristic algorithm 1000 times with 90% of the catchments randomly removed. Two statistics were then estimated: f (the frequency of selection across 1000 runs) and average c (contribution to conservation targets). Four groups of catchments were identified: a) catchments that have high contributions and are always selected; b) catchments that have high contributions and are not always selected; c) catchments that are always chosen but do not contribute many taxa; d) catchments that are rarely chosen and did not contribute many taxa. Summed c, the sum of contributions over 1000 runs was chosen as an indicator of irreplaceability, integrating the frequency of selection and the number of taxa protected. Irreplaceability (I) was then linked to condition (C) and vulnerability (V) to create the ICVframework for river conservation planning. Condition was estimated using a stressor gradient approach (SGA), in which GIS layers of disturbance were summarised to three principal axes using principal components analysis (PCA). The main stressor gradient � agriculture � classified 75% of the study area as disturbed, a value consistent with existing assessments of river condition. Vulnerability was defined as the likelihood that land use in a catchment would intensify in the future. Hereby current tenure was compared to land capability. If a catchment would support a land use that would have a stronger effect on the rivers than its current tenure, it was classified as vulnerable. 79% of catchments contained more than 50% vulnerable land. When integrating the three estimators in the ICV-framework, seven percent of catchments were identified as highly irreplaceable but in degraded condition. These were flagged for urgent restoration. Unprotected, but highly irreplaceable and highly vulnerable catchments that were still in good condition made up 2.5% of the total area. These catchments are prime candidates for river reserves. The ICV framework developed here is the first method for systematic conservation planning in rivers that is complementarity-based, biota-driven but flexible to other conservation targets and accounts for catchment effects, thus fulfilling all the gaps outlined in the aims.

Demand for outdoor recreation has been increasing, probably due to changing lifestyle, increasing accessibility and most importantly, the need to escape from the busy city life. The rising environmental awareness couples with deteriorating environmental quality in city have encouraged people to visit the countryside to relax physically and mentally, bringing about nature-based recreation which refers to activities carried in the natural environment for self-enjoyment and pleasure. Through engaging in nature-based recreational activities, conservation of natural resources and recreation needs of human can be achieved, as well as arousing environmental awareness. Hence, nature-based recreation is regarded as a sustainable way to serve the nature and mankind. Yet, recreational activities in nature can impose pressure on nature and thus planning is essential for nature-based recreation, so as to comply with the obligation of nature conservation and optimize recreation opportunities for people. This study aimed to investigate and assess the effectiveness of planning of naturebased recreational activities in Hong Kong, hence provide suggestions to improve the provisions and enhance the experiences of nature-based recreational activities. The overall planning of nature-based recreation in Hong Kong was investigated and Shing Mun Reservoir, Nam Sang Wai and Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve were chosen as studied sites for evaluation. Questionnaires and interviews had been conducted to gather opinions of visitors, green group and planner. In general, it is found that the country park system and the Management Agreement Scheme formed the skeleton of planning of nature-based recreational activities. Yet, the current planning provisions were insufficient to cover all existing and potential venues. Problems were identified in the insufficient protection to natural resources and lack of adaptability and evaluation of the country park system, lack of understanding and appreciation of the nature by the public, insufficient supports to facilitate nongovernment planning and management to nature-based recreational activities, and lack of determination in conserving the nature in macro planning. It is recommended to enhance the current country park system, including natural resources protection, nature education, regulation assessment and evaluation, and improve adaptability; enhance Management Agreement Scheme to minimize the management difficulties; and extend the coverage of Hong Kong Planning Standard and Guidelines to include nature-based recreation and creating ancillary guidelines for planning to remind key issues. Further, strong determination in nature conservation and sustainability of the government is important to guide and facilitate effective planning for nature-based recreational activities.
published_or_final_version
Environmental Management
Master
Master of Science in Environmental Management

At a time when the world is becoming more monotonous under the effect of globalization, diversity has become precious. To retain the different colours of culture, cultural heritage conservation has been widely practiced in many countries. Starting from the 1970s, international conservation organizations have been advocating for area-based conservation. They believe that the goal of heritage conservation, which includes the conservation of both tangible and intangible assets, can be better achieved by conserving areas at an urban scale. In order to facilitate area-based conservation, many countries have integrated conservation with town planning. In Hong Kong, heritage conservation does not protect areas at an urban scale. It only serves an advisory function to town planning and fails to protect the landscape around historic buildings/sites. Under the fast pace of development, this building-based conservation approach has created a fragmented cityscape of Hong Kong as bits and bobs of historic structures are surrounded by incompatible features such as parking garage, flyovers, highways and skyscrapers. This ruins the spirit of the place, decreases the heritage value of the site and consequently diminishes the character of the city. This study attempts to improve heritage conservation in Hong Kong by finding out the feasibility of setting up conservation areas in the city. It explores the importance of heritage conservation, the significance of area-based conservation, and the success factors for setting conservation areas in Singapore, which has shown successful in preserving historic districts and areas of special character by area-based conservation. By reviewing Hong Kong‟s current practice in heritage conservation and town planning against these success factors, several recommendations are conducted at the end.
published_or_final_version
Urban Planning and Design
Master
Master of Science in Urban Planning

Place-based biological conservation planning and recovery delineates “places” – spatial extents with favourable conditions for the recovery and management of multiple species simultaneously. Places represent geographic areas where constituent species are more likely to benefit from a specific set of recovery and management actions. Currently, place-based conservation planning is focused on prioritizing already-identified places. Findlay and McKee (2016) propose an approach to identify and delineate places by grouping geographical units based on species-at-risk (SAR) co-localization in (a) geographical, and (b) threat space. The following research is a practical application of the Findlay-McKee Methodology (FMM), using southern Ontario as a case study. I develop a parameterized algorithm to operationalize the design principles laid out in the FMM. I first define metrics to characterize the variation in SAR overlap and the degree to which sets of SAR share common threats. Next, I explore how the spatial extent of places (place size) changes as a function of tolerance for dissimilarity in both measures. The case study allowed me to evaluate the benefits and limitations of the FMM. I conclude that the FMM has the potential to be a defensible method for characterizing places based on SAR community overlap and inter-species threat similarity. However, the FMM’s applicability is limited by the availability of datasets at an appropriate resolution for analysis; uncertainty in selecting appropriate thresholds of tolerance for dissimilarity; and the criteria used to designate seed planning units. Given the increasing popularity of multi-species and ecosystem level recovery and conservation management, developing an efficient and effective process to guide place selection is crucially important. I recommend further research focus on empirically determining the number of places in a planning region and identifying at what tolerance thresholds places lose their ability to delineate areas where a comparatively small number of recovery actions will confer widespread benefits.

This thesis provides a spatial analytical approach towards protecting the heritage of the town of Muharraq from the influence of development. It advances several recommendations to protect the heritage from further loss or deterioration, and it suggests possible measures to improve the existing situation while preserving growth and heritage. The term “heritage” used in this study encompasses not just the heritage landmarks, but also the "urban fabric‟, including the buildings and neighbourhoods established by generations of Bahraini people, which have been ignored in the past as elements of cultural heritage. The town of Muharraq represents an Islamic town in terms of overall urban fabric, utilization of urban space, and organization of tribes and buildings. Muharraq is the only town in the region which still preserves most of these heritage elements, whereas most of the other towns have lost their heritage completely to extensive modernization. The relevance of this thesis stems from a lack of research in the towns of Bahrain despite their historical significance in the region. The government also realized the heritage significance of the town, which prompted it to begin working toward finding ways to preserve this heritage with sustainable growth. This study has demonstrated the immense potential of spatial and analytical techniques compared to the conventional methods, and it provided a different insight into the history and physical characteristics of the town, hitherto unknown. The thematic mapping and analysis fosters a better appreciation of the historical situation, spatial and temporal variations, identification and quantification of lost heritage, or its degree of loss. The study also suggested methods for improving the outcomes of such analytical methods by improving data quality and refining the analysis, which would significantly improve decision making towards protecting the heritage.

Grass-roots conservation efforts, implemented at the local level, have become increasingly popular within the U.S. and abroad. The conservation and natural resource literature has touted these initiatives as more effective when compared to top-down management efforts. As localities are given more responsibility for managing their own natural resources, their ability to do so effectively has become a major concern. I sought to determine the capacity of these community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) groups to contribute to successful ecosystem management in the state of Illinois, with three primary objectives: to determine the primary components of capacity within a CBNRM organization (chapter 2); to identify the relationship between the levels of capacity in a CBNRM organization and the quality of natural resource management planning conducted by the group (chapter 3); and, to evaluate the effects of resource management plans (RMPs) produced by CBNRM groups on the ecological integrity of the prescribed area. This multi-disciplinary project necessitated reliance on the principles of both sociology and ecology, as required by explorations of socio-ecological systems. This dissertation is an attempt to model the success of CBNRM initiatives by examining changes in ecological integrity and attainment of conservation goals. It is my intent that this model can be used by CBNRM groups in Illinois and other contexts to best meet their goals, and by organizations seeking to assist CBNRM groups as an investment guide to determine what type of assistance is most likely to lead to environmental change. I found motivation, leadership, respect, mutual interest/shared values, outreach/education, marketing, communication, planning, funding and equipment/supplies were the most important drivers of CBNRM group capacity. Additionally, my results show that capacity varied significantly among groups with low, moderate and high RMP success, and that group capacity was predictive of the degree of RMP success. Lastly, I found bird indicators increased, especially at the 7-8 year post-RMP mark, providing some evidence of the utility of CBNRM initiatives in affecting positive environmental change.

Thesis (MES)--University of Waterloo, 2003.
"A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Environmental Studies in Environment and Resource Studies." Includes bibliographical references.

The sense of belonging and identity of people in Hong Kong has strengthen since the 1990s, particularly after the 1997 handover, there was a growing recognition of the importance of heritage conservation. In response to the growing public concerns and heated discussions on the issue of conservation of heritage structures after the demolition of Star Ferry Pier and Clock Tower in December 2006, the heritage conservation policy and new initiatives are drawn up in the 2007-08 Policy Address and Policy Agenda. However, the conservation policy and initiatives are limited to individual building level only. This may result in the incompatibility of the heritage building with the surrounding developments. As a result, many conservationists and scholars comment that it should expand the heritage conservation work beyond individual buildings by embarking on an 'area-based' approach. Overseas experiences especially from United Kingdom in area based heritage conservation have been studied to provide legitimate guidance i.e. Conservation Areas. On the other hand, Area Based Heritage Conservation cannot be achieved without the facilitation of a town planning system. As a result, the relationship between heritage conservation under the town planning system has been reviewed, problems and issues has been examined. This study reveals that after the Government’s recent policy and initiatives in the past few years, to a large extent, have resolved or alleviated some of the decades-old problems under the existing town planning system. The objective of heritage conservation has been incorporated to different levels of town planning system. However, it is surprised that the adoption of Area Based Heritage Conservation is still not yet incorporated into the town planning system like Conservation Areas in the UK. Are there any difficulties to adopt this in Hong Kong? The answer is yes. Although there is still no timetable for the adoption of the designated area of "Special Design Area" ("SDA") proposed in the "Comprehensive Review of the Town Planning Ordinance" 1991 for area based heritage conservation in statutory plans, the introduction of planning application submitted to Town Planning Board ("TPB") for consideration under section 12A for planning permission under Town Planning (Amendment) Ordinance 2004 is found to be a usable tool for the area based heritage conservation under the statutory power of town planning system at district level. In practice, this may not work, as seen with the s.12A planning application submitted by the Central and Western Concern Group ("CWCG") which was not agreed by the Metro Planning Committee ("MPC") under TPB on 8 May 2009. If political and economical considerations were ignored, CWCG’s proposals in the s.12A planning application can be implemented "in theory" under the existing planning system of Hong Kong. However, gaining the approval of s.12A planning application from MPC is just the first step of the whole town planning process. This study continues to examine the following steps in town planning processes under different sections of Town Planning Ordinance ("TPO"), particularly in the plan-making process under section 6 of the TPO, which CWCG needs to go through in order to incorporate the accepted proposal eventually into the relevant approved statutory plan for area based heritage conservation. The whole process is lengthy and during the process CWCG’s proposal may subject to the attacks of the individual property owners and the developers, etc., as the development potential of their properties is being affected. If political and economical considerations were ignored, CWCG’s proposals in the s.12A planning application can be implemented "in theory" under the existing planning system of Hong Kong. However, gaining the approval of s.12A planning application from MPC is just the first step of the whole town planning process. This study continues to examine the following steps in town planning processes under different sections of Town Planning Ordinance ("TPO"), particularly in the plan-making process under section 6 of the TPO, which CWCG needs to go through in order to incorporate the accepted proposal eventually into the relevant approved statutory plan for area based heritage conservation. The whole process is lengthy and during the process CWCG’s proposal may subject to the attacks of the individual property owners and the developers, etc., as the development potential of their properties is being affected. This study concludes that although s.12A planning application has 'hidden' potential for area based heritage conservation, under the current political sentiment, it will not have the chance (i) to be accepted by the TPB and (ii) to incorporate the approved proposal into the relevant statutory plan subsequently unless it can obtain the consent of the sole current land owner/all current land owner(s) (private/government). As there are several successful projects of area based heritage conservation implemented by the Urban Renewal Authority in the past few years e.g. the Blue House Cluster in Wan Chai, the MPC recommends discussing the issues in the recent Urban Renewal Strategy Review ("URSR"). However, from the latest "Public Views and Future Direction – Paper for the Consensus Building Stage of the URSR" released in May 2010, does not mention about Area Based Heritage Conservation.
published_or_final_version
Conservation
Master
Master of Science in Conservation

I theorize and offer some evidence that humans inadvertently risk exacerbating the loss of maintenance-dependent species on private land by using species-based land-use regulation to seek other benefits. Drawing evidence primarily from the US, I argue that such regulation poses a risk to maintenance-dependent species, that humans routinely disregard this risk, and that this disregard widely serves to defend the power of individuals and organizations to use such regulation to seek other benefits. I suggest this implies that with constraints on public funding, humans might improve the survival of some species by clarifying the purpose of such regulation and considering openly refraining from such regulation for some species. I also suggest such change might depend on articulating the issue as whether the survival of a species could ever depend on individuals having a right to conserve or maintain it without selectively incurring harm from regulation intended to save it.

Habitat modification alters species' capacities to track shifting climatic conditions. Broad-scale analyses that explore demographical responses to on-going climate change tend to neglect the influence of the underlying landscape pattern. However, many landscapes are fragmented by human activities, which might make dispersal for many species more challenging. Determining the extent to which landscape factors affect broad-scale distributional patterns has implications for our ability to predict realistic climate change impacts on species. Here, we constructed species-specific measurements of landscape permeability for 96 butterfly species in southern Ontario to test whether this landscape characteristic affected species' distributions at macroecological scales. We used multiple logistic regression models to test for the effects of permeability and its interaction with temperature on butterfly species presence/absence. We found that 48% of butterfly species responded to landscape permeability alone or in interaction with temperature. In general, the effect was positive (87%) and species were more likely to be present with increasing landscape permeability. For 61% of the species that responded to broad-scale landscape permeability, the interaction of temperature with permeability was statistically significant. In warm areas, species were more likely to be present if landscape permeability was high. Landscape permeability explained 3-43% of residual variability in species' presences after accounting for temperature. Finally, we show how fine-scale permeability measurements can be combined with large-scale patterns of diversity to inform conservation efforts. Landscape permeability can affect species' distributions at broad-scales and understanding factors that potentially influence species' dispersal can improve predictions for how species respond to changing climatic conditions.

The HYDROPAC model was developed to improve the technology transfer from the science of hydrology to environmental planning disciplines by initiating advanced spatial analysis techniques for predicting rainfall-runoff relationships. This model integrates the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) equations for calculating runoff and a Geographic Information System (Map Analysis Package) in a framework that allows the simulation of runoff processes over a digital elevation model. The simulations are done in discrete time steps allowing the generation of a hydrograph at any desired point in the watershed and the overland flow patterns are displayed in maps. This framework addresses some of the current limitations of hydrologic model for stormwater management planning in terms of capabilities for analysis and communication of results. This manuscript describes the methods used to develop the framework of the HYDROPAC model and its usefulness for analyzing potential runoff problems during the planning process.

The background to this thesis is Australia’s Oceans Policy, which aims to develop an integrated and ecosystem-based approach to planning and management. An important part of this approach is the identification of natural regions in regional marine planning, for example by establishing marine protected areas for biodiversity conservation. These natural regions will need to be identified on a range of scales for different planning and management actions. The scale of the investigation reported in this thesis is applicable to spatial management at 1 km to 10 km scale and monitoring impacts at the 10s of m to 1 km biotope scale. Seabed biotopes represent a combination of seabed physical attributes and related organisms. To map seabed biotopes in deep water, remote sensing using a combination of acoustic, optical and physical sensors is investigated. The hypothesis tested in this thesis is that acoustic bathymetry and backscatter data from a Simrad EM1002 multi-beam sonar (MBS) can be used to infer (act as a surrogate of) seabed biotopes. To establish a link between the acoustic data and seabed biotopes the acoustic metrics are compared to the physical attributes of the seabed in terms of its substrate and geomorphology at the 10s m to 1 km scale using optical and physical sensors. At this scale the relationship between the dominant faunal functional groups and both the physical attributes of the seabed and the acoustic data is also tested. These tests use data collected from 14 regions and 2 biomes to the south of Australia during a voyage in 2000. Based on 62 reference sites of acoustic, video and physical samples, a significant relationship between ecological seabed terrain types and acoustic backscatter and bathymetry was observed.
These ecological terrain types of soft-smooth, soft-rough, hard-smooth and hard-rough were chosen as they were the most relevant to the biota in their ability to attach on or burrow into the seabed. A seabed scattering model supported this empirical relationship and the overall shape of backscatter to incidence angle relationship for soft and hard seabed types. The correlation between acoustic data (backscatter mean and standard deviation) and the visual and physical samples was most consistent between soft-smooth and hard-rough terrain types for a large range of incidence angles (16o to 70o). Using phenomenological backscatter features segmented into 10 common incidence angle bins from -70o to 70o the length resolution of the data decreased to 0.55 times depth. The decreased resolution was offset by improved near normal incidence (0o to 30o) seabed type discrimination with cross validation error reducing from 32% to 4%. A significant relationship was also established between the acoustic data and the dominant functional groups of fauna. Faunal functional groups were based on the ecological function, feeding mode and substrate preference, with 8 out of the 10 groups predicted with 70% correctness by the four acoustically derived ecological terrain types. Restricting the terrain classification to simple soft and hard using the acoustic backscatter data improved the prediction of three faunal functional groups to greater than 80%. Combining the acoustic bathymetry and backscatter data an example region, Everard Canyon, was interpreted at a range of spatial scales and the ability to predict the preferred habitat of a stalked crinoid demonstrated.
Seabed terrain of soft and hard was predicted from the acoustic backscatter data referenced to a common seabed incidence angle of 40o. This method of analysis was selected due to its combined properties of high spatial resolution, consistent between terrain discrimination at the widest range of incidence angles and consistent data quality checking at varying ranges. Based in part on the research reported in this thesis a mid-depth Simrad EM300 multibeam sonar was purchased for use in Australian waters. A sampling strategy is outlined to map all offshore waters with priority within the 100 m to 1500 m depths.

Our country is a risky position in terms of natural disasters. In the long run, preferentially settlement areas were selected to ensure maximum benefits in terms of both economic and security aspects, other criteria is not taken account when selection of sites. The main purpose of this study is to examine and compare the properties of settlement location based on natural hazard and environmental constraints to be able to understand the interaction between the settlements and natural conditions at the regional scale of YeSilirmak Basin. A MCDA was set up with 10 different data layers in two data domains (environmental and natural hazards domains), are evaluated. The results of the MCDA scores are then transferred to settlement databases in order to evaluate the number of existing settlements in different environmental and natural hazard related suitability classes. It is found that almost 29% of YeSilirmak catchment is environmentally favorable for settlement, and in coherence with that 41% of all existing settlements are located in this zone, indicating a clear preference among the perception of environmentally better places to be settled in. On the other hand with respect to the natural hazards dataset, the locations of the settlements fail to create any preference, as 73,32% of the area is used by 73,50% of existing settlements, which indicates that the perception of natural hazards are low and do not effect settlement criteria, while the acceptable risk of community is high.

Protected area site selection is generally carried out using biodiversity data as surrogates. However, reliable and complete biodiversity data is rarely available due to limited resources, time and equipment. Instead of drawing on inadequate biodiversity data, an alternative is to use environmental diversity (ED) as a surrogate in conservation planning. However, there are few studies that use environmental diversity for site selection or that evaluates its efficiency
unfortunately, no such example exists for Turkey, where biodiversity is high but our knowledge about it is unsatisfactory. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the efficiency of environmental surrogates and the utility of different biological taxa in conservation planning. The objective was to find out the most efficient surrogates, either environmental or biological, for conservation planning, so that limited resources can be used more efficiently to establish an effective protected areas network. The study was carried out in northeastern Turkey, within the Lesser Caucasus ecoregion. The taxonomic groups considered include large mammals, breeding birds, globally threatened reptiles and amphibians, butterflies, highly threatened plants, and ecological communities. The distribution data was taken from a previous study, while climate and topographical data were obtained from various sources and produced through spatio-statistical techniques. Complementarity-based site selection was carried out with Marxan software, where the planning unit was the 100 sq.km. UTM grid square. Various statistical methods, including geographically weighted regression, principal components analysis, and p-median algorithm, were used to determine ED across the units. Performance of different approaches and different sets of surrogates were tested by comparing them to a random null model as well as representation success. Results indicate that endemic or non-endemic highly threatened plant species, butterfly species and ecological communities represent biodiversity better than other taxa in the study area. As such, they can be used on their own as efficient biodiversity surrogates in conservation area planning. Another finding is that highly threatened plant species are required to be used in the site selection process if they need to be represented well
in other words, they are their own surrogates. It was demonstrated that while ED alone can be used as a surrogate to represent biodiversity of an area, they are not as good as biodiversity surrogates themselves. It is also suggested that using species taxa with smaller distributional ranges or taxa that complement each other due to ecological differences as surrogates provide better results. On the other hand, ED might be a more suitable surrogate if resources are very limited or field work is impossible. In such cases, using ED in conjunction with one of the better biodiversity surrogates is probably the best solution.

Los Angeles is experiencing a loss of inventory with Industrial land due to adaptive reuse and property conversion. The primary factors behind the conversions are inconsistent land use regulations and a strong market demand for residential property. In an effort to streamline land use regulation, the city will create a new zoning code. In conjunction with the zoning update, the purpose of this project will be to develop a form-based code for the Los Angeles Arts District. The new land use regulation will explore methods to preserve job producing industrial space and accommodate the growing residential market in the area. Data for this study was collected and presented as a site analysis. The study also includes a literature review that examines the history of land use regulation in Europe and the United States. The site analysis for the Arts District includes an investigation of circulation patterns, economic factors, development profile, community input, and review of planning documents. Research includes a chronological investigation of the Arts District’s history, land use policies, and regulations. The study indicates that the Arts District, though primarily industrial, contains multiple residential nodes. Additionally, it reveals that industrial jobs and building stock are at risk from new development. The purpose of The Arts District Form-Based Code, as the new land use regulation, is to create a predicable development pattern that improves the quality of the built environment.

Assignment (MFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ongoing environmental destruction that results from the continuous use of the woodland resources for economic purposes has caused extensive changes in the original vegetation of Goba area of southern Mozambique. Developing alternative sources of income for communities can reduce their dependence on the production of charcoal, building materials and wood carvings. The lack of infrastructure and remoteness of these localities from the markets make alternatives economically unfeasible and thus unsustainable for rural development. Ineffective policy planning that does not address the problem in a holistic way causes the dilemma of local people in remote areas. The challenge at Goba is to develop alternative livelihoods that are economically, socially and ecologically sustainable. Nature-based tourism has been identified as such an alternative to realize this goal. However, this development requires incentives for sustainable resource use, which can be created either by expanding the benefits accruing from the efficient use of the resource or by changing the distribution of the benefits and cost in favor of the users. In many cases, local communities have developed tourism initiatives in ecologically fragile, remote areas, without sound planning based on detailed ecological and socio-economic information. Uncontrolled flows of tourists in unplanned tourist destinations degrade these areas. These destinations lose their aesthetic appeal; tourism flow decreases and consequently new attractions are opened. This study is of a land use planning nature and follows a combination of existing framework tools. The primary aim of this study was to develop simple guidelines for nature-based tourism that contribute to the conservation and management of the rural woodland areas as well as to the improved socio-economic welfare of rural communities in the Goba area. The study used baseline information for planning, focusing on the tourism market and on the ecological and socia-economical aspects of the siudy area. Two strategies were used to obtain the information, namely market research and attraction resources analysis. The market research in the southern part of Mozambique shows that: International tourist flows are at present from Southern African countries mostly South Africa (more than 50%), North America, Europe and Australia or Asia. Mozambique is perceived mainly as a sunny beach destination for vacations and weekends though most of the tourists were engaged in multi-destination itineraries that included safari, wildernesses, bird watching, touring and curiosity. There was no evidence from any tourist that nature tourism was the reason to visit Mozambique, but many of them said that they would visit ecotourism and nature tourism destinations if available. The average daily expenditure per tourist was found to be US$47. Tourists from long-haul distances had higher disposable expenditures and stayed longer in both attraction assets and in the country. Sixty nine per cent (69%) of surveyed tourists were over 50 years of age and they were mostly males (57%). The results show clearly that many issues must be taken into consideration where the development of ecotourism and nature-based tourism, especially in rural areas, is concerned. Such considerations should include (i) careful planning of the destinations based on the local developmental policy; (ii) developing saleable tourist products and packages and (iii), promotional strategies to expand the market to capture tourists with high average daily expenditure. The rural communities can then have a chance to develop nature-based tourism that uses outstanding natural resources. The resources analysis study results revealed that: The rugged topographic, climatic conditions of Goba water catchment area and the distance from settlements have naturally preserved local forest resources from human utilization. The area has well conserved and differentiated natural scenic landscape. These scenic landscapes have recreational values as well as environmental contrast, scientific discovery potential and retention of vanishing biological species. To preserve or improve the management of these landscapes, it is essential to consider recreation use in relation to all other potential values. Few existing landscapes showed a relative ability to absorb impacts produced by facility development with a minimum negative effect on the visual and ecological quality of the landscape. The majority of the landscapes have some potential for primitive and sensitive recreational spectrum. All these results are consistent with results from similar studies on watershed and water catchment ecology. Given the constraints on the environmental settings of the Goba landscapes, it is recommended that the basic and logic framework development should attract tourists interested in the more primitive portion of the recreational spectrum and should have fewer facilities of small-scale building. These facilities should be rustic in character with less service and more emphasis on self-reliance. Improved management of the Goba ecosystem is needed to maintain the ecological functions of the catchment and local culture and rurality. In conclusion, this study suggests that, if on these remote fragile ecosystems local communities can protect and market attractive quality-of-life-amenities, maintain a relatively low cost of living, and offer serviceable links to global telecommunication infrastructures in order to attract tourists and retirees, these communities can survive and may even thrive as local economies. An incentive planning method and sustained extension outreach effort in rural development, which focuses on nourishing local action at the grassroots level, will complement such a policy strategy.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Omvattende verandering van die natuurlike plantegroei in die Goba area van suiderlike Mosambiek is teweeg gebring deur die deurlopende bentting van die omgewing deur die misbruik van die natuurlike hulpbronne vir ekonomiese wins. Die ontwikkeling van alternatiewe inkomstebronne vir plaaslike gemeenskap kan hul afhanklikheid van hout vir die produksie van houtskool, boumateriaal en houtsneewerk verminder. Die gebrek aan infrastruktuur en die groot afstande na markte maak die verkoop van die houtprodukte in stedelike gebiede onprakties en dus nie 'n volhoubare oplossing vir landelike ontwikkeling nie. Oneffektiewe beleidsbeplanning wat die probleem nie holisites benader nie veroorsaak 'n dilemma vir inwoners in afgeleë gebiede. Die uitdaging in Goba is om alternatiewe bronne van inkomste te ontwikkel wat ekonomies, sosiaal en ekologies volhoubaar is. Natuurgebaseerde toerisme is geïdentifiseer as 'n moontlike alternatief wat aan die doel kan beantwoord. Die ontwikkeling van eko-toerisme sal egter net slaag indien die plaaslike bevolking genoegsaam aangemoedig word om die natuurlike hulpbronne op 'n volhoubare basis te benut. Dit kan gedoen word óf deur winste terug te ploeg in die omgewing en so die toerisme basis te vergroot óf deur winsdeling op 'n gebruikersgunstige voordele- en kostebasis te behartig. In baie gevalle het plaaslike gemeenskappe toerisme inisiatiewe in sensitiewe, afgeleë gebiede ontwikkel, sonder deeglike beplanning wat op uitgebreide ekologiese en sosio-ekonomiese inligting berus. Die onbeheerde toeriste aanloop na onbeplande areas lei tot die stelselmatige vernietiging daarvan. Hierdie bestemmings verloor hul estetiese waarde en het tot gevolg dat toeriste ander ongerepte areas gaan soek. Hierdie studie handeloor die beplanning van grondgebruik en volg 'n kombinasie van bestaande raamwerk prosedure. Die primêre doel van hierdie ondersoek is om eenvoudige riglyne vir natuurgebaseede eko-toerisme te ontwikkel wat 'n bydra kan lewer tot die bewaring en bestuur van die natuurlike wonde en wat die sosioekonomiese welvaart van die plaaslike bevolking van Goba sal bevorder. Die studie maak gebruik van basiese inligting vir beplanning, en fokus op die toeristemark sowel as op die ekologiese en sosioekonomiese aspekte van die studie-area. Die twee strategieë wat gevolg is om inligting in te win is marknavorsing en die analise van toeriste-attraksie hulpbronne. Marknavorsing in die suide van Mosambiek toon dat die meerderheid internasionale besoekers aan Mosambiek afkomstig is van lande in Suidelike Afrika (Suid-Afrika alleen 50%), en daarna uit Noord- Amerika, Europa and Australië/Asië. Mosambiek word hoofsaaklik as 'n sonnige strandoord-bestemming vir vakansies en naweke beskou, hoewel die meeste toeriste 'n multi-bestemming reisplan volg wat safaris, ornitologie, reis en besoeke aan besienswaardighede insluit. Daar is geen bewys gevind dat enige toeris Mosambiek besoek het met eko-toerisme as doel nie, maar baie sou belangstelom dit te doen indien ekoen natuurgebaseerde toeriste-betemmings beskikbaar was. Die gemiddelde daaglikse uitgawe per toeris was US$47. Toeriste wat groot afstande moes aflê om hul bestemming te bereik het meer beskikbare fondse en bly langer, beide in die land en by verskillende attraksies. Van die toeriste by wie die opname gemaak is 69% ouer as 50 jaar en die meerderheid (57%) was mans. Die resultate toon dat daar talle faktore is om in ag te neem by die ontwikkeling van 'n landelike area vir natuurgebaseede en eko-toerisme. Daar moet aandag gegee word aan (i) deeglike beplanning van die bestemming gebaseer op die plaaslike ontwikkelingsbeleid; (ii) die ontwikkeling van verkoopbare toeriste produkte en pakkette;en (iii), promosie strategieë om die mark uit te brei om toeriste wat meer spandeer te lok. Die landelike gemeenskappe word sodoende die geleentheid gebied om hul besondere natuurlike hulpbronne te ontwikkel vir natuurgebaseerde toerisme. Die hulpbron-analise toon dat die afgeleë en bergagtige topografie en die klimaatsomstandighede van Goba se wateropvangsgebied as natuurlike beskerming vir inheense woude teen die benutting deur die plaaslike bevolking gedien het. Die area is goed bewaar met skouspelagtige natuurtonele. Die skouspelagtige landskap beskik oor rekreasiewaarde sowel as omgewingskontras, potensiaal vir wetenskaplike ontdekkings en vir bewaring van seldsame fauna en flora. Om hierdie landskap te bewaar of die bestuur daarvan te verbeter, moet gebruik vir rekreasie in verhouding tot die ander potensiële waardes beskou word. Daar is beperkte areas wat die vermoë besit om ontwikkeling te absorbeer en waar die verbouing van fasiliteite slegs 'n minimale negatiewe effek op die visuele en ekologiese kwaliteit sal hê. Die potensiaal bestaan egter vir alle areas om op 'n beperkte skaalontwikkel te word vir die primitiewe en sensitiewe sektor van die rekreasie spektrum. Die resultate van die vavorsing stem ooreen met soortgelyke studies van waterskeiding- en wateropvangsgebied-ekologie en ontwikkeling. Vir die gegewe omgewingsbeperkings van Goba word dit aanbeveel dat ontwikkeling op 'n basiese vlak geskied om daadie proporsie van die toeriste te lok wat in die sogenaamde wildernis-ervaring belangstel. Geboue en beperkte fasiliteite moet slegs op klein skaal opgerig word. Die fasiliteite moet by die omgewing inpas en die klem moet op selfvoorsiening eerder as op dienstelewering val. Die bestuur van die Goba ekosisteem moet egter verbeter om die ekologiese funksie en die plaaslike kultuur en landelikeid te behou. Die bevinding van die studie is dat indien ver-afgeleë en sensitiewe ekosisteme deur die plaaslike bevolking bestuur en beskerm word, dit tot ekonomiese welvaart van die landelike gebiede kan lei. Hierdie areas moet bestuur word sodat die landelike karakter as toeriste aantreklikheid behou word, dat die lewenskoste relatief laag bly en dat verbindings met die buitewêreld op telekommunikasie vlak ingestel word. Beplanning moet op 'n aansporingsbasis gegrond wees met uitreikingsprogramme met landelike ontwikkeling as doel. Aanmoediging van plaaslike aksie op grondvlak behoort so 'n beleidstrategie te versterk.

The purpose of this study is to find potential areas suitable for energy production using renewable sources. For this aim, accurate assessments are necessary. The assessments include geographical suitability, closeness of infrastructure and observing local and regional framework concerning the use of renewable sources together with environmental protection. In addition, economical factor is considered in such an assessment. In this study, the Photovoltaic (PV) production potential for Germany is considered. An accurate and complete data set is necessary in order to achieve reliable results. In addition, a powerful database management and strong analysis tools are required. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool for finding suitable sites for the photovoltaic production.Using GIS, energy generation planners are able to visualize solar densities throughout the considered area. In addition, they can find the optimal and most economical sites by the combination of solar potential with the information about land. In this study, data sources consist of meteorological and geographical conditions. Furthermore, all analyses have been performed using Arc GIS Desktop. This study demonstrates the possible places for photovoltaic plants and indicates suitable candidates according to weights and factors in multi criteria analysis. The solar radiation data is from year 1995 to 2005. Land cover data is according to Corine 2000 and the more detailed Raumordnungskataster (Rok) for Weser-Ems. Numerical results are reliable from a comparison point of view. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of the defined criteria with respect to electricity production. In particular, this study is useful to see the capabilities of GIS for site selection regarding photovoltaic plants.The purpose of this study is to find potential areas suitable for energy production using renewable sources. For this aim, accurate assessments are necessary. The assessments include geographical suitability, closeness of infrastructure and observing local and regional framework concerning the use of renewable sources together with environmental protection. In addition, economical factor is considered in such an assessment. In this study, the Photovoltaic (PV) production potential for Germany is considered. An accurate and complete data set is necessary in order to achieve reliable results. In addition, a powerful database management and strong analysis tools are required. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool for finding suitable sites for the photovoltaic production.Using GIS, energy generation planners are able to visualize solar densities throughout the considered area. In addition, they can find the optimal and most economical sites by the combination of solar potential with the information about land. In this study, data sources consist of meteorological and geographical conditions. Furthermore, all analyses have been performed using Arc GIS Desktop. This study demonstrates the possible places for photovoltaic plants and indicates suitable candidates according to weights and factors in multi criteria analysis. The solar radiation data is from year 1995 to 2005. Land cover data is according to Corine 2000 and the more detailed Raumordnungskataster (Rok) for Weser-Ems. Numerical results are reliable from a comparison point of view. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of the defined criteria with respect to electricity production. In particular, this study is useful to see the capabilities of GIS for site selection regarding photovoltaic plants.

Value is the reason to conserve places. It is necessary to assess all values and meanings of cultural properties to provide right conservation decisions. Today, all cultural products are recognized as a part of heritage. In this context, users became one of the main sources in identification and valuation of cultural places. However, there is no commonly accepted method to assess user-ascribed values and integrate them to planning process. Hence, the aim of the study is to define a process to assess user-ascribed values in relation with conservation decision-making process. The study evaluates two indicators to define the process. In the first one, the study evaluates multi-criteria decision analysis methods to define a thinking approach to integrate values to decision-making process and in the second one, evaluates the nature of users&
#8217
valuations to identify data collection process. In this context, value assessment process is re-defined, by considering users valuations through problem solving thinking approach and a process is developed to assess user-ascribed values. The proposed process is examined with Tarsus case study. Conclusion of the study points out that, users are important sources in identification of cultural properties. In this context, problem solving thinking approach can provide a proper approach to integrate values to planning process and user-based data can be assessed through utilization of more than one method. The conclusion also clarifies the need for establishment of new definitions and tools to protect user-valued places.

This study involved an issues-based approach to curriculum contextualisation in the context of the Eco-Schools programme in Kenya. It adopted a two-phase design using interpretivist and socially critical research orientations. In this study, research is represented as a process which is socially constructed within a particular theoretical, contextual, social and historical context by unfolding the thesis to illuminate how the phases are closely woven into each other. The first phase used the survey method for a contextual review of existing approaches and views relating to environmental education in the formal education sector. The survey aimed to develop a deeper understanding of environmental education as currently practiced in Kenya and to unravel the complexities surrounding it. It involved about two hundred and six primary school teachers and a critical review of a set of resource materials used in Kenyan Primary Schools. It revealed that some aspects of environmental education practice and the prevailing technocratic view of curriculum in Kenyan primary schools potentially limit possibilities for issues-based approaches to curriculum contextualisation. The action research process in four case study schools in Nyanza province of Kenya represent an attempt to address issues in context through socially critical environmental education. Participant observations, workshops and document analysis revealed that, contextualised conceptions of the terms ‘environment’ and ‘environmental education’ that resulted from a process of deliberation of meaning by teachers in relation to their contexts and practices served to set perspective for the action research process. Further, the planning phase which involved environmental auditing to identify issues of concern, prioritization of actions, issues to address, and action planning to guide implementation was critical in setting the agenda of the action research process in each of the case study schools. Integration and infusion of local issues of concern into curriculum planning further enriched processes of curriculum contextualisation, making them relevant to local contexts by addressing real issues through appropriate pedagogical approaches in auditing, investigation and research, communicating and interpreting results, reflecting on investigations and taking action. The action research process further enhanced cooperation and partnership between the case study schools and surrounding communities with mutual benefits. The research report demonstrates that despite the limitations posed by the technocratic orientation of the Kenyan curriculum, it is possible to address real environmental issues, risks and associated sustainable development challenges in context through issues-based approaches to curriculum contextualisation in the context of the Eco-Schools programme.

This thesis has set out to shine a light on the prevalence of outdoor recreation in regional strategies, regarding how friluftsliv can contribute to regional development and growth. In the context of the outdoor recreation goals, friluftsliv has been pushed to be involved within the regional development and spatial planning process in regions. However, the extent of measures to involve friluftsliv in RDS/P (Regional Development Strategy/Plan) from regional authorities are far in-between. The County Administrative Board (TCAB) on the other hand, are actively working within their regions on how to involve friluftsliv in the spatial planning process, partly because of difference in responsibility factors from the two authorities. The same can be said regarding the many similarities and differences found primarily in the work from TCABs. For example, how friluftsliv frequently is described to have a positive contribution on citizens well-being and quality of life, that in-turn positively impact aspects of regional development, while some discuss the implications of friluftsliv on the environment. Friluftsliv can work as a catalyst for regional development, although it can be argued to be geographically dependant for commercial activities, while its indirect social, economic, and environmental contributions are not geography dependant. One conclusion made in the thesis is that a more transcending planning process regionally to promote friluftsliv is needed, where both the regions and TCAB carry out the planning in unison with the SEPA (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) to spread the needed knowledge for the purpose of smart spatial planning between the authorities.
Denna masteruppsats har syftat till att belysa förekomsten av friluftsliv i regionala strategier, relaterat till hur friluftsliv kan bidra till regional utveckling och tillväxt. Detta analyserades i samband med uppkomsten av friluftslivsmålen, där friluftsliv är syftat till att vara involverad i den regionala utvecklingen och den fysiska planeringsprocessen i regioner. Emellertid är omfattningen av åtgärder för att involvera friluftsliv i RUS/P (Regional Utvecklingsstrategi/Plan) från regionala myndigheter låga. Länsstyrelserna å andra sidan arbetar aktivt inom sina regioner för att involvera friluftsliv i den fysiska planeringsprocessen. Detta är på grund av den skillnaden i ansvarsområden över specifika faktorer mellan de två myndigheterna. Detsamma kan kopplas till de många likheter och skillnader som främst återfinns i Länsstyrelsernas arbete. Exempelvis hur friluftsliv ofta beskrivs bidra på ett positivt sätt för medborgarens välbefinnande och livskvalitet, som i sin tur positivt påverkar många aspekter av regional utveckling, medan vissa fokuserar på att diskutera konsekvenserna av friluftsliv på miljön. Friluftsliv kan fungera som en katalysator för regional utveckling, även om friluftslivets kommersiella verksamhetsmöjligheter kan påstås vara geografiskt beroende kan dock dess indirekta sociala, ekonomiska och miljömässiga bidrag för regional utveckling syftas till att vara geografiskt oberoende. En slutsats som gjorts i uppsatsen är att en mer övergripande planeringsprocess regionalt för att främja friluftsliv behövs, där både regionerna och Länsstyrelserna genomför planeringen i överensstämmelse med Naturvårdsverket för att sprida den nödvändiga kunskapen i syfte att engagera i aktiv diskussion för främjandet av smart rumslig planering mellan myndigheterna.

Anthropogenic impact on the environment, mainly resource depletion and pollution, is limiting the potential for future generations to have the same resources that previous generations have enjoyed. Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of our time will be curtailing our own personal impacts on the environment. To do this, we must adopt more sustainable lifestyles at home. This research sought to understand how neighborhood identity affects sustainability at the household level. In the summer of 2012, residents of two neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon completed 314 self-report, web-based surveys. The neighborhoods selected for this research were demographically similar, but one projected a sustainable neighborhood identity and the other did not. Survey questions were designed to determine respondents: level of engagement in their neighborhood, attitudes towards the environment, and adherence to sustainable behaviors. Findings suggest that neighborhood engagement can influence household sustainability levels in Portland. This research also suggests that the city or region may have more effect on perceived household sustainability than the neighborhood does.

This three-year PhD study looks at heritage performance in impact assessment (IA) practices, analysing the urban planning context and management experiences of selected urban World Heritage (WH) sites in the UK. The research develops recommendations for assessing the impact of plans, programmes and projects on heritage values in culturally significant urban areas with the emphasis on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of large-scale projects in an urban environment. The research analyses theoretical and empirical approaches to heritage management, investigates methodologies for heritage IA and explores opportunities for and barriers to improved heritage IA in the context of current UK policy. In particular, the research contributes with the conceptual framework of identification, interpretation and management of the cultural heritage in the urban planning system. The review of academic and other relevant literature helped to develop the conceptual framework. The data was collected by means of desk-based documents analysis, case studies, focus-group seminars and an on-line Questionnaire with the experts in the heritage and IA fields. The world’s most well-known and arguably most protected sites with officially identified Outstanding Universal Value – WH sites – provide general lessons for the heritage management and IA of new developments and infrastructure projects. The management of UK WH sites could be said to have the features of what is known as a values-based approach to conservation. This approach emphasises the identification of cultural heritage significance with the early participation of different stakeholders in the planning process; the latter has a scope for improvement in the UK context. Research on the boundaries of the heritage and IA fields leads to an improved understanding of cultural heritage and provides a framework for the IA process. The developed framework and the criteria for an enabling environment could be useful for achieving agreement between the different stakeholders, and could allow a smoother planning decision-making process, leading in turn to a reduced need for monitoring from international bodies. The results are useful for planners and developers in the context of western practice, and could also be relevant to the development of international guidelines.

Les rapports d’activité de l’Établissement Français du Sang (EFS) font état d’une demande croissante de produits sanguins labiles (PSL) tels les concentrés globules rouges (CGR), les plaquettes, et le plasma. Afin d’assurer la demande vitale en PSL, il est primordial d’optimiser la logistique liée aux activités de collecte du sang et de ses composants. Pour faire face à cette situation, l’EFS Auvergne-Loire mène une réflexion dans le but d’utiliser de manière plus efficiente les dispositifs de collecte en sites fixes et mobiles pour améliorer (i) la qualité de service rendue au donneur, et (ii) l’efficience de l’utilisation des ressources humaines. Dans ce contexte nous avons développé dans cette thèse des outils opérationnels pour (i) la modélisation des dispositifs de collecte, (ii) la régulation des flux de donneurs, et (iii) la planification de collectes mobiles.La méthode d'analyse des dispositifs de collecte est basée sur des techniques de simulation à événements discrets. Une modélisation préalable des flux de donneurs dans les systèmes de collecte en sites fixes et mobiles à l’aide de réseaux de Petri a été proposée. Pour la régulation de flux de donneurs, notamment pour la planification optimale des rendez-vous des donneurs et la planification de la capacité dans les systèmes de collecte au site fixe, deux approches ont été abordées: (a) Construction d'un algorithme basée sur techniques d'optimisation stochastique via simulation ; (b) Programmation mathématique: Modèle de programmation en nombres entiers non-linéaire (MINLP) basée sur réseaux de files d'attente et représentation et évaluation des systèmes à événements discrets à travers de programmation mathématique. Pour la planification de collectes mobiles. Deux types de modèles ont été développés : (a) Au niveau tactique : Modèles de programmation en nombres entiers linéaire (MIP) pour planifier les semaines de collectes pour chaque ensemble disponible sur un horizon de temps pour garantir l'autosuffisance à niveau régional des CGR. (b) Au niveau opérationnel : Modèle de programmation en nombres entiers linéaire (MIP) pour l’organisation du travail des équipes en charge de la collecte
Activity reports of the French Blood Establishment (EFS) indicate a growing demand for Labile Blood Products (LBP) as red blood cells (RBC), platelets and plasma. To ensure the vital demand of labile blood products (LBP), it’s essential to optimize the logistics related with the collection of blood components. To deal with this situation, the EFS Auvergne-Loire carry out a reflection in order to use more efficiently the collection devices in fixed and mobile sites, to improve the quality of service offered to the donor and the efficiency of human resources. In this context we have developed in this thesis operational tools for (i) modeling of blood collection devices (ii) The regulation of flows donors (iii) Planning of bloodmobile collections.The method analysis of collection devices is based on techniques of discrete event simulation. A preliminary modeling of donors’ flow in fixed and mobile collection systems using Petri nets was conducted. For the regulation of flow of donors, i.e. the optimal capacity planning and appointment scheduling of blood collections, two approaches were considered: (a) Simulation based-optimization.(b) Mathematical Programming: Mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) based on queuing networks and mathematical programming representation of discrete event systems. For planning of bloodmobile collections. Two models have been developed: (a) At the tactical level: Mixed integer linear programming (MIP) to determine the weeks in which the mobile collection must be organized in order to ensure the regional self-sufficiency of RBC. (b) At the operational level: Mixed integer linear programming (MIP) for the planning of human resources in charge of blood collections

Der UNESCO-Welterbestatus als ein kontroverses Thema in der lokalen bis globalen Öffentlichkeit gewinnt für die Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung in Europa zunehmend an Bedeutung. Denn zum einen nehmen die Nominierungen europäischer Stätten als Weltkulturerbe zu, und zum anderen hält der Trend zur räumlichen Polarisierung an. Es wachsen die Disparitäten zwischen peripheren und metropolen Regionen und ihren Städten. Der Notwendigkeit, wirtschaftliche, demografische und kulturelle Konzentrationsprozesse in Metropolen nachhaltig zu lenken, steht die Herausforderung gegenüber, angesichts von Schrumpfung und vielfältigen Problemlagen in peripheren Regionen, Erreichtes zu stabilisieren und Entwicklungen zu stimulieren. Der UNESCO-Weltkulturerbestatus ist in Folge dieser Entwicklungen für immer mehr lokale und regionale Akteure ein relevantes Thema, das gegenwärtig in metropolen Welterbestätten vor allem als Entwicklungsbarriere und Konfliktpotenzial und in peripheren Regionen als Chance für Stabilität und Entwicklung brisant erscheint. Tatsächlich ist das Wirkpotenzial des UNESCO-Labels für die Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung kaum beschrieben. Es fehlen zum einen umfassende Evaluationen, die die Wirkungen des Weltkulturerbestatus im Querschnitt der soziokulturellen bis wirtschaftlichen Stadtentwicklungsthemen darstellen, negative Effekte thematisieren und das Wirken des Labels am Maßstab der Nachhaltigkeit bewerten. Zum anderen fehlen Studien, die systematisch erklären, warum der Welterbestatus wie auf die Stadtentwicklung wirkt und welche Bedingungen das Wirken des Welterbeslabels beeinflussen. Die räumliche Lage einer Welterbestätte und das Handeln ihrer Akeure sind dabei aus praktischer und theoretischer Sicht wesentliche und bislang unzureichend untersuchte Bedingungen. Im Ergebnis mangelt es an übertragbaren, wissenschaftlichen und praxisrelevanten Ableitungen, wie - in Anbetracht differenzierter lokaler Konstellationen - der Welterbestatus ein Teil nachhaltiger Stadtentwicklung sein kann. Ziel der Arbeit sind demnach raumdifferenzierte und akteurszentrierte Ansätze, die den UNESCO-Welterbestatus als Potenzial nachhaltiger Stadtentwicklung erschließen: ihn schützen und nutzen. Dazu wurde das Wirken des Welterbelabels für die nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung evaluiert, differenziert für den peripheren und metropolen Raum und in Abhängigkeit vom lokalen Akteurshandeln. Als theoretische Leistung der Arbeit wurde ein eigenständiger Evaluationsansatz entwickelt. Er dient der Feststellung und Bestimmung der Wirksamkeit des Welterbelabels für die nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung auf Grundlage des sozialwissenschaftlichen Kausalitätsverständnisses und der theoriebasierten Plausibilisierung der Wirkrekonstruktionen. Er ermöglicht, entscheidungs- und verbesserungsorientiertes Wirkungswissen sowie theoriebildendes Wissen zu erarbeiten. Empirische Grundlage ist dafür die Untersuchung dreier, theoriebasiert augewählter Fallbeispiele. Es sind die Weltkulturerbestädte St. Petersburg (Russland), Stralsund und Wismar (Deutschland). Die Städte ähneln sich in dem Merkmal, dass ihre Innenstädte flächenhaft als Weltkulturerbestätte anerkannt sind. Sie unterscheiden sich in ihren Konstellationen der Kriterien "Lage im Raum" (metropoler versus peripherer Kontext) und "Verhalten der Stadtverwaltung" gegenüber dem Welterbelabel (Passivität versus Aktivität). Die zentralen Forschungsergebnisse der Arbeit lassen sich letztlich in vier Punkten zusammenfassen: 1. Der Weltkulturerbestatus ist nachweislich ein Potenzial der Stadtentwicklung, das in einem breiten Themenquerschnitt Entwicklungen der Welterbestadt bedingt bzw. bedingen kann. Die Daten der Arbeit belegen, dass der Welterbestatus sowohl die lokalen Lebensqualitäten und Wirtschaftsentwicklungen in den Fallstudien, als auch die lokale Denkmalpflege und das öffentliche Stadtentwicklungshandeln verändern kann. 2. Das Welterbelabel wirkt bisher in keiner der untersuchten Welterbestädte gezielt nachhaltig-positiv (Nachhaltigkeitsthese). Die Wirkungen des Welterbelabels in den Fallstudien entsprechen nicht durchgehend dem Maßstab der Nachhaltigkeit. Nachhaltigkeit ist in der Arbeit über die Prinzipien der Integration, Partizipation und Verteilungsgerechtigkeit operationalisiert. Negative nicht nachhaltige Wirkungen in den Fallstudien sind beispielsweise welterbelabelbedingte Parallelstrukturen in den Stadtverwaltungen und Überlastungen lokaler Akteure (Verteilungsgerechtigkeit), intransparente Entscheidungsprozesse sowie die labelbedingte Produktion bzw. Verstärkung verwaltungsinterner Ressortgrenzen (Partizipation), welterbestatusbedingte Abschreckungen von lokalen Wirtschaftsakteuren sowie massive Gefährdungen des Bauerbes trotz Welterbelabel (Integration). Diese negativen Teilwirkungen des UNESCO-Labels sind unter anderem die Folge von Unachtsamkeit bzw. Desinteresse lokaler, insbesondere durchsetzungsstarker Akteure gegenüber potenziellen Wirkbereichen des Welterbelabels in der Stadtentwicklung. Die Nachhaltigkeitsthese besagt dementsprechend: Der Welterbestatus ist in den untersuchten Welterbestädten ein ungenutztes Potenzial für nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung. Denn die Wirkmöglichkeiten des Welterbestatus zur Beförderung des lokalen Denkmalschutzes, der lokalen Lebensqualität und Wirtschaftsentwicklung werden von den Akteuren der Stadtverwaltung, Privatwirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft nicht konsequent integrativ, transparent-partizipativ und effizient-ressourcengerecht bedacht und genutzt. 3. Das Welterbelabel ist ein räumlich differenziertes und akteursabhängiges Potenzial für die (nachhaltige) Stadtentwicklung (Raum- und Akteursthese). Es wirkt begleitend, statt entscheidend auf lokale Entwicklungen. Drittes Kernergebnis der Arbeit ist der Nachweis des UNESCO-Welterbelabels als ein relatives, nämlich räumlich differenziertes und akteursabhängiges Potenzial für die Stadtentwicklung. So betont die Raumthese der Arbeit den Einfluss des räumlichen Kontextes einer Welterbestadt auf die lokalen Möglichkeiten der Inwertsetzung und des Wirkens des Labels. Sie besagt: Das Potenzial des UNESCO-Weltkulturerbestatus für die Stadtentwicklung ist für Welterbestädte des peripheren Raumes größer als für Welterbestädte des metropolen Raumes, denn in Städten des peripheren Raumes mobilisiert der Welterbestatus deutlich stärker die Lokalakteure, Ideen und Aktivitäten zur Stadtentwicklung zu entwickeln und umzusetzen. Es sind Absichten und Aktivitäten zum Schutz und zur Nutzung des Welterbestatus. In der Tendenz sind die Wirkungen des Welterbestatus für den Schutz des baulichen (Welt-) Erbes und die soziokulturelle und ökonomische Stadtentwicklung zudem für periphere Welterbestädte relativ stärker als für Welterbestädte im metropolen Raum. Die Bedingungen für die Inwertsetzung des Welterbestatus sind allerdings im peripheren Raum relativ schlechter als in metropolen Welterbestädten, aufgrund begrenzter Finanz- und Personalressourcen der Lokalakteure aus Lokalwirtschaft, Zivilgesellschaft und Stadtverwaltung. Neben dem räumlichen Kontext einer Welterbestadt sind die Wirkungen des Welterbelabels in der Stadtentwicklung nachweislich vom Handeln der Lokalakteure abhängig. Die Akteursthese der Arbeit besagt: Das Potenzial des Welterbestatus für die Stadtentwicklung ist bedingt durch das Handeln der lokalen Akteure. Je aktiver und querschnittsorientierter Lokalakteure mit Durchsetzungsvermögen den Welterbestatus in Wert setzen, das heißt schützen und nutzen, desto deutlicher und vielfältiger sind die Wirkungen des UNESCO-Labels für die Stadtentwicklung im Rahmen des theoretisch Möglichen. Das prinzipiell positive wie negative Wirkpotenzial des UNESCO-Labels wird erst durch das Handeln, insbesondere durchsetzungsstarker Akteure wie leitende Stadtverwaltungsvertreter aktiviert. Das Wirkpotenzial des Welterbestatus in allen untersuchten Bereichen der Stadtentwicklung ist allerdings nachweislich begrenzt. Denn das Label spricht stets nur kleine Zielgruppen an und wirkt in ihnen als begleitendes, statt entscheidendes Argument für Verhaltensweisen. Ein stetes Mehr an lokalen Inwertsetzungsaktivitäten stößt letztlich an diese intrinsischen Wirkgrenzen des UNESCO-Labels (die Grenzen des theoretisch Möglichen) und damit auf den so genannten abnehmenden Grenznutzen. Zudem ist das lokale Wirken des Welterbelabels nicht allein von lokalen Bedingungen, wie dem Raumkontext der Stätte und das Akteurshandeln beeinflusst. Es steht nachweislich auch - in Einzelfällen sehr deutlich - im Zusammenhang mit überlokalen Bedingungen und Akteurshandlungen. 4. Differenzierte Ansätze, die den Raumkontext und die Akteurskonstellationen der Welterbestätte als Wirkbedingungen reflektieren und abstrahieren, sind praxisrelevante und übertragbare Anregungen dafür, den Welterbestatus nachhaltig als Potenzial der Stadtentwicklung zu erschließen. Letztes Kernergebnis der Arbeit sind zwei übertragbare Ansätze, die den Welterbestatus als Potenzial nachhaltiger Stadtentwicklung differenziert für die Konstellationen „Welterbestädte im metropolen Raum“ und „Welterbestädte im peripheren Raum“ erschließen. Sie bieten inhaltliche, strukturelle und prozessuale Anregungen für das (Verwaltungs-) Handeln in Welterbestädten, die auf den Fallstudienergebnissen, auf Erfahrungen weiterer deutscher Welterbestädte sowie auf den aktuellen internationalen Diskussionen zum Management von Welterbestätten beruhen. Das Forschungsergebnis zum relativen, raumdifferenzierten und akteursabhängigen Potenzial des Welterbelelabels für die Stadtentwicklung begründet die Differenzierung der Ansätze. Es ist zudem der Ansatzpunkt, um die vielschichtigen Situationen in den untersuchten Fallstudien nachvollziehbar in Form von context-mechanism-output configurations zu abstrahieren und damit die Übertragung der Ansätze auf andere Welterbestädte ähnlicher Konstellationen prinzipiell zu ermöglichen. Vor diesem Hintergrund sollte das Leitbild für den lokalen Umgang mit dem Welterbe(status) in metropolen Stadtregionen lauten: Das bauliche (Welt)Erbe der Stadt ist geschützt und wird genutzt und weiterentwickelt, ohne die ihm spezifischen und schützenswerten Charakteristika zu beeinträchtigen und vor dem Hintergrund eines starken Rückhaltes des Denkmalschutzes in der Stadtgesellschaft. Das Leitbild reflektiert sowohl den lokalen Handlungsbedarf und die ideelle Verpflichtung der Stadtgesellschaft gegenüber der internationalen Staatengemeinschaft, das (Welt-) Erbe dauerhaft zu schützen, als auch die empirisch-theoretisch begründete Folgerung, dass aus der lokalen Inwertsetzung des UNESCO-Labels keine bzw. maximal marginale Wirkungen für die lokale Wirtschafts- und soziokulturelle Stadtentwicklung resultieren. Es zielt weder auf das kategorische Ausschließen soziokultureller und wirtschaftlicher Entwicklungen im Welterbegebiet, noch auf den Rückzug der Denkmalpflege, sondern sucht, das Ausbalancieren von Schutz- und Entwicklungszielen nachhaltig zu qualifizieren. Das Leitbild entspricht in diesem Sinne grundsätzlich dem bekannten Leitbild der bewahrenden Stadtentwicklung. Die überlokale Sichtbarkeit des Welterbelabels sowie das garantierte Mindestmaß an Aufmerksamkeit und Mitgestaltungswillen für die lokale Stadtentwicklung seitens der internationalen UNESCO und ICOMOS definieren jedoch letztlich die besondere Chance und brisante Herausforderung des Welterbelabels für die nachhaltige Entwicklung in metropolen Stadtregionen. Der in der Arbeit entwickelte Ansatz für den lokalen Umgang mit dem Welterbelabel greift deshalb zunächst auf prozessuale und strukturelle Elemente zurück, die eine nachhaltige, bewahrende Entwicklung auch in Nichtwelterbestädten fördern und detailliert diese dann in wenige Punkten entsprechend der spezifischen Notwendigkeiten und Erfahrungen in UNESCO-Weltkulturerbestädten. Die welterbespezifischen Notwendigkeiten berühren in metropolen Welterbestädten in erster Linie die nachhaltige \"Sicherung der Qualität von Planungszielen, Maßnahmen und Projekten\" für das (Welt-) Erbegebiet in konfliktfreier Kooperation mit den überlokalen Welterbegremien und ohne Aufgabe der kommunalen Selbstbestimmung sowie die nachhaltige Verankerung des Welterbeschutzgedankens in der lokalen Stadtgesellschaft. Das Leitbild für den Umgang mit dem Welterbe(status) in peripheren Stadtregionen sollte in Ergänzung dazu lauten: Das bauliche (Welt-)Erbe der Stadt ist geschützt und wird genutzt und weiterentwickelt, ohne die ihm spezifischen und schützenswerten Charakteristika zu beeinträchtigen und vor dem Hintergrund eines starken Rückhaltes der Denkmalpflege in der Stadtgesellschaft. Der Welterbestatus wird nachhaltig und erfolgreich genutzt, um soziokulturelle und wirtschaftliche Stabilität bzw. Entwicklungen zu befördern. Im Unterschied zu Welterbestädten im metropolen Raum zielt das Leitbild, neben dem nachhaltigen Schutz des (Welt-)Erbes, folglich auch auf die Nutzung des Welterbelabels für die soziokulturelle und wirtschaftliche Entwicklung bzw. Stabilität der Stadt. Denn sowohl die Handlungsbedarfe in peripheren Welterbestädten, als auch die lokalen Inwertsetzungsabsichten und die theoretisch begründbaren Wirkmöglichkeiten des Welterbestatus sprechen für die Aktivierung der soziokulturellen und wirtschaftlichen Wirkchancen des UNESCO-Welterbelabels. Dabei ist es entscheidend, lokale Strukturen und Prozesse auf- bzw. auszubauen, die nicht nur der Inwertsetzung des UNESCO-Labels dienen, sondern allgemeinhin die sozioökonomische Entwicklung der Stadt fördern. Denn zum einen sind in peripheren Städten die lokalen Handlungsressourcen begrenzt und zum anderen sind den Wirkmöglichkeiten des UNESCO-Titels intrinsische Grenzen gesetzt. Die überlokale Sichtbarkeit des Welterbelabels, die nationale ideelle Mitverantwortung für die lokale Welterbepflege sowie der Zugang zu (inter-)nationalen Welterbenetzwerken definieren letztlich die besondere Chance des Labels für die nachhaltige Entwicklung in peripheren Städten. Der detaillierte Ansatz für den lokalen Umgang mit dem Welterbelabel thematisiert folglich auch, wie diese spezifischen Möglichkeiten nachhaltig genutzt werden könnten. Letztlich liegt in der systematisch differenzierenden Untersuchung zu den Wirkungen verschiedener lokaler Welterbemanagementsysteme weiterer Forschungsbedarf. Es sind Best Practice Beispiele für die nachhaltige (Welt-) Erbepflege und sozioökonomische Welterbelabelnutzung zu identifzieren und kommunizieren, um die Idee des weltweiten Erbes der Menschheit in allen, metropolen wie peripheren Regionen umsetzen zu helfen. Die UNESCO als Träger der Welterbeidee sollte derartige Forschungen verstärkt anstoßen und kommunizieren und damit stärker als bisher ein konstruktiver Partner für die gestaltenden Akteure in Welterbestätten sein. Im Ergebnis ist die Arbeit sowohl ein Beitrag zu aktuellen welterbebezogenen Fachdiskussionen (Welterbemanagement), als auch zu den gegenwärtigen Ziel- (Leitbilddiskussion zur Nachhaltigkeit) und Steuerungsdiskussionen in der Raumentwicklung (Governance, evidenzbasierte Planung).

Large-scale land-use change across the tropics has led to the decline of animal populations and their habitat. With large investments into mining, hydropower dams and industrial agriculture this trend is likely to continue. Consequently, there is a need for systematic land-use planning to set aside areas for protection and allocate scarce conservation funding effectively. Even though primates are relatively well studied, data-driven systematic planning is still rarely implemented. The overall aim of this dissertation was to investigate population parameters needed for evidence-based conservation planning for the critically endangered western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) in West Africa. To this end, I compiled density datasets covering the entire geographic range of this taxon from the IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. database and modeled chimpanzee densities as a function of 20 social-ecological variables. I found that western chimpanzees seemingly persist within three social-ecological configurations: rainforests with a low degree of anthropogenic threats, steep areas that are less likely to be developed and are harder to access by humans, and areas with a high prevalence of cultural taboos against hunting chimpanzees. The third configuration of reduced hunting pressure is not yet reflected in commonly implemented conservation interventions, suggesting a need for designing new approaches aimed at reducing the threat of hunting. Based on the modeled density distribution, I estimated that 52,811 (95% CI 17,577-96,564) western chimpanzees remain in West Africa, and identified areas of high conservation value to which conservation interventions should be targeted. These results can be used to inform the expansion of the protected area network in West Africa, to quantify the impact of planned industrial projects on western chimpanzees, and to guide the systematic allocation of conservation funding. In addition, this thesis highlights the unique position of taxon-specific databases of providing access to high-resolution data at the scale needed for conservation planning. Data-driven conservation planning has the potential to enable conservationists to respond more proactively to current and emerging threats, and ultimately improve conservation outcomes.

This thesis explores the opportunities and constraints to community based planning for neighbourhood conservation in the context of an expanding urban core, using the Mole Hill planning process and draft Concept Plan as a case study. In response to previous public processes, and increasing community activism against top-down revitalization, City of Vancouver Planning Staff were directed in April 1996, to undertake a participatory planning process in order to develop conservation strategies for Mole Hill which balance physical, social, environmental and economic goals. Drawing from a broad range of literature on urban conservation and post-industrial urban change, this thesis begins by providing a rationale for area-based urban conservation within the context of post-war North American and European cities. Further, it outlines some of the conflicts arising from conservation, primarily those conflicts relating to post-war economic restructuring and corresponding socio-economic changes in inner cities specifically, gentrification. The thesis uses cases from inner city communities in Vancouver and New York to examine contemporary trends in neighbourhood conservation, and to explore those elements which contribute to a locally focused and sustainable conservation and revitalization strategy. Three characteristics of successful neighbourhood conservation schemes are abstracted by way of a literature review and are subsequently used as a framework to analyse the Mole Hill case study. These characteristics are: a focus on local involvement; multi-dimensional programs and policies; and an ongoing collaborative approach. The case study reveals the complex and contentious nature of planning for conservation within an expanding urban context. The multiplicity of players, the exigency of issues, the amount and availability of resources, and the often adversarial positions demonstrate the fragmented and complex quality of planning in this context. The study found that in Mole Hill a reliance on top-down methods for conflict negotiation and decision making undermined the effectiveness of the community based model and ultimately led to a fractured set of policies and principles for the neighbourhood. Tensions which were created by a misapplication of power resulted in a polarization between a "Staff' position and a "Working Group" position, thus diluting the idea of a consensus based, collaborative process. Despite these setbacks, a multi-agency and multi-interest approach to the process achieved a number of positive principles and strategies which attempt to address the site as a comprehensive whole, bringing the goals of heritage conservation closer to those of housing and community needs. Finally, the case showed that by drawing on existing community knowledge and expertise the process was able to generate innovative ideas such as those which involve local reinvestment and community economic development initiatives which are directed at social and physical improvement. These ideas challenge traditional notions of conservation and revitalization — which often rely on outside capital investment and /or economic incentives to support conservation — and provide a foundation for more culturally appropriate and sustainable strategies for community based neighbourhood conservation.

The research involves first conducting a “case study” of ecological data and applying the results, together with the resilience concept, to the development of a greenspace conservation planning framework for urban regions. The first part of the research investigates the relationship between forest bird abundance and the surrounding landscape characteristics, especially, forest area and its spatial configuration in urban regions at multiple scales. The results are similar for simple and multiple regression analyses across three scales. The percentage of forest cover in a landscape is positively correlated with bird abundance with some thresholds. Overall, the percentage of forest cover in the landscape, contrast-weighted forest edge density, and the similarity of land cover types to forest cover are identified as important for the conservation of the target bird species. The study points to the importance of species-specific habitat requirements even for species with similar life history traits and of maintaining some forest edges and/or edge contrast. The second part of the research involves the development of a landscape planning meta-model and its conceptual application to greenspace conservation The research involves first conducting a “case study” of ecological data and applying the results, together with the resilience concept, to the development of a greenspace conservation planning framework for urban regions. The first part of the research investigates the relationship between forest bird abundance and the surrounding landscape characteristics, especially, forest area and its spatial configuration in urban regions at multiple scales. The results are similar for simple and multiple regression analyses across three scales. The percentage of forest cover in a landscape is positively correlated with bird abundance with some thresholds. Overall, the percentage of forest cover in the landscape, contrast-weighted forest edge density, and the similarity of land cover types to forest cover are identified as important for the conservation of the target bird species. The study points to the importance of species-specific habitat requirements even for species with similar life history traits and of maintaining some forest edges and/or edge contrast. The second part of the research involves the development of a landscape planning meta-model and its conceptual application to greenspace conservation.

Our current system of research and production is no longer suitable for solving the problems we face today. As climate change threatens our cities and livelihoods, the global economic system preys on the weak. A more responsive, equitable, and resilient system needs to be implemented. Our post industrial cities are both products and victims of the boom-bust economies employed for the last few centuries. While some communities have survived by converting to retail and services based economies, others have not been so fortunate and have become run-down husks of their former bustling selves. The key to revitalizing these cities is to create new industries that empower people, unlike the service economies that deride and devalue them. Peer to Peer (P2P) development models like open source software communities create platforms for people to collaborate on projects and share resources. On the scale of cities, the goal is to stimulate the growth of closed loop, local, micro-economies that are inherently more stable than traditional, centralized economic models.Commons Based Peer Production (CBPP) is a term coined by Professor Yochai Benkler at Harvard Law School. It describes a new model of socio-economic production in which the labor of large numbers of people is coordinated (usually with the aid of the Internet) mostly without traditional hierarchical organization. It is based on low thresholds for participation, freely available modular tasks, and community verification of quality (peer governance). CBPP usually only applies to intellectual output, from software to libraries of quantitative data to human-readable documents (manuals, books, encyclopedias, reviews, blogs, periodicals, and more); however, this system can be adapted for physical manufacturing. A P2P system of development for material goods must be explored through the production of a common resource. Mycelium is the “roots” of fungi. It can be grown anywhere with agricultural refuse as a substrate. It has properties that make it ideal for building insulation and it is environmentally innocuous. It is Cradle to Cradle certified, and it requires little specialized equipment to produce. As a consumer product, it has had trouble gaining traction in a notoriously stubborn market dominated by hydrocarbon based market leaders like extruded polystyrene (XPS). Mycelium products are ripe for development as a regenerative building material. The goal is to increase the R-value of the material, decrease the cost of manufacturing, and carve out a market for this extraordinary product. The purpose of applying a CBPP approach is to increase the speed of development and aid in market penetration. The strategy is to decentralize manufacturing of and experimentation with the product. This requires a robust network of production nodes. Essentially, this involves setting up franchises in select markets (like the Pioneer Valley), where there is a strong interest in local, sustainable products. The nodes would be small cooperative businesses that are licensed to produce the material as well as collect data on the manufacturing and performance of mycelium insulation. The data will then be used to improve the production process. The bulk of the thesis is in designing one such node in Greenfield, MA, located adjacent to the new John W. Olver Transit Center on Bank Row St.

The study was aimed at assessing perceptions of local communities on the use of coastal natural resources in Coffee Bay and the “Hole in-the Wall” area. The environmental impact caused by non–compliance with environmental legislation was also assessed. Data was obtained through interviews conducted with members of 50 households chosen randomly and questionnaires that were distributed to government departments in charge of the resources. The study found that due to high illiteracy and unemployment in the area, people were compelled to use the available coastal natural resources to satisfy their basic needs. About 70% of them were aware of the legislation but felt they could not comply with it since they had not been consulted. The study’s recommendations are that the community should be consulted on legislation, more environmental awareness campaigns should be conducted and government plans should be aligned in terms of service delivery
Environmental Sciences
M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

Homes proclaim our social standing and reflect the trend of the times. This project seeks to explore and redefine the relationship between modern homes and modern women who strive for mobile life styles. Modernism and globalization have brought us a new way of living that could have never been imagined before— our workspace and homes are no longer limited to a specific unit but have extended to the entire globe. The physical changes compelled by modernity have also complemented the changing role of women. Since the beginning of the 20th century, modern women have expanded their lives outside of their homes and are playing a much more active role in society. This project is designed for the modern feminist nomads—young women with international background living away from their home country—who are passionate about what they do professionally and proud of the women they are. The project will allow these women to determine what home means to them, and also allow their artifacts and concept of home to travel with them and, through the process, shape who they are. This project is a series of 5 different scales of designs: the Z-Cases, the Z-Cubes, the Z-Units, the Z-Communities, and the Z-Global Business Model. This series of designs is developed to better aid the life on the move for the feminist nomads, by making traveling , moving, and adjusting to a new community a much easier process.

The study focused on the role of the local community in the management of wetland. The study was triggered by the lack of participation of the local community in the management of the wetland. It is important to note that wetlands perform a number of ecosystem services, some of which are well recognised, others less so, and are internationally recognised as being one of the most important ecosystems for the conservation of biodiversity. South Africa is a signatory to the international obligations, which makes it a legal responsibility to make sure that wetlands are managed appropriately. It is therefore important for these natural resources to be managed appropriately. Information for generating data was obtained through the assessment of the wetland health and from the investigation of the management of the local community. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, qualitative method was used to gather the necessary data. The findings indicate that the current state of the wetland is severely modified, which means large loss of natural habitat, biota and basic ecosystem functions has occurred. The results also indicate that the community is ill-equipped to manage the resource appropriately. The findings therefore imply that immediate management interventions must be developed to improve the health of the wetland. In improving the state of the wetland, the study recommends, amongst others, that mitigation measures aimed at improving the wetland health and participation of wetland users be promoted. An establishment of a community-driven and multi-stakeholder intervention mechanism to help the community manage and utilise the wetland properly is also recommended. The study concludes by indicating that the community must comply with the environmental legislation and takes a lead in the management of the wetland, for the aim of restoring the functionality and integrity of the wetland.
Environmental Sciences
M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Der UNESCO-Welterbestatus als ein kontroverses Thema in der lokalen bis globalen Öffentlichkeit gewinnt für die Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung in Europa zunehmend an Bedeutung. Denn zum einen nehmen die Nominierungen europäischer Stätten als Weltkulturerbe zu, und zum anderen hält der Trend zur räumlichen Polarisierung an. Es wachsen die Disparitäten zwischen peripheren und metropolen Regionen und ihren Städten. Der Notwendigkeit, wirtschaftliche, demografische und kulturelle Konzentrationsprozesse in Metropolen nachhaltig zu lenken, steht die Herausforderung gegenüber, angesichts von Schrumpfung und vielfältigen Problemlagen in peripheren Regionen, Erreichtes zu stabilisieren und Entwicklungen zu stimulieren. Der UNESCO-Weltkulturerbestatus ist in Folge dieser Entwicklungen für immer mehr lokale und regionale Akteure ein relevantes Thema, das gegenwärtig in metropolen Welterbestätten vor allem als Entwicklungsbarriere und Konfliktpotenzial und in peripheren Regionen als Chance für Stabilität und Entwicklung brisant erscheint. Tatsächlich ist das Wirkpotenzial des UNESCO-Labels für die Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung kaum beschrieben. Es fehlen zum einen umfassende Evaluationen, die die Wirkungen des Weltkulturerbestatus im Querschnitt der soziokulturellen bis wirtschaftlichen Stadtentwicklungsthemen darstellen, negative Effekte thematisieren und das Wirken des Labels am Maßstab der Nachhaltigkeit bewerten. Zum anderen fehlen Studien, die systematisch erklären, warum der Welterbestatus wie auf die Stadtentwicklung wirkt und welche Bedingungen das Wirken des Welterbeslabels beeinflussen. Die räumliche Lage einer Welterbestätte und das Handeln ihrer Akeure sind dabei aus praktischer und theoretischer Sicht wesentliche und bislang unzureichend untersuchte Bedingungen. Im Ergebnis mangelt es an übertragbaren, wissenschaftlichen und praxisrelevanten Ableitungen, wie - in Anbetracht differenzierter lokaler Konstellationen - der Welterbestatus ein Teil nachhaltiger Stadtentwicklung sein kann. Ziel der Arbeit sind demnach raumdifferenzierte und akteurszentrierte Ansätze, die den UNESCO-Welterbestatus als Potenzial nachhaltiger Stadtentwicklung erschließen: ihn schützen und nutzen. Dazu wurde das Wirken des Welterbelabels für die nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung evaluiert, differenziert für den peripheren und metropolen Raum und in Abhängigkeit vom lokalen Akteurshandeln. Als theoretische Leistung der Arbeit wurde ein eigenständiger Evaluationsansatz entwickelt. Er dient der Feststellung und Bestimmung der Wirksamkeit des Welterbelabels für die nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung auf Grundlage des sozialwissenschaftlichen Kausalitätsverständnisses und der theoriebasierten Plausibilisierung der Wirkrekonstruktionen. Er ermöglicht, entscheidungs- und verbesserungsorientiertes Wirkungswissen sowie theoriebildendes Wissen zu erarbeiten. Empirische Grundlage ist dafür die Untersuchung dreier, theoriebasiert augewählter Fallbeispiele. Es sind die Weltkulturerbestädte St. Petersburg (Russland), Stralsund und Wismar (Deutschland). Die Städte ähneln sich in dem Merkmal, dass ihre Innenstädte flächenhaft als Weltkulturerbestätte anerkannt sind. Sie unterscheiden sich in ihren Konstellationen der Kriterien "Lage im Raum" (metropoler versus peripherer Kontext) und "Verhalten der Stadtverwaltung" gegenüber dem Welterbelabel (Passivität versus Aktivität). Die zentralen Forschungsergebnisse der Arbeit lassen sich letztlich in vier Punkten zusammenfassen: 1. Der Weltkulturerbestatus ist nachweislich ein Potenzial der Stadtentwicklung, das in einem breiten Themenquerschnitt Entwicklungen der Welterbestadt bedingt bzw. bedingen kann. Die Daten der Arbeit belegen, dass der Welterbestatus sowohl die lokalen Lebensqualitäten und Wirtschaftsentwicklungen in den Fallstudien, als auch die lokale Denkmalpflege und das öffentliche Stadtentwicklungshandeln verändern kann. 2. Das Welterbelabel wirkt bisher in keiner der untersuchten Welterbestädte gezielt nachhaltig-positiv (Nachhaltigkeitsthese). Die Wirkungen des Welterbelabels in den Fallstudien entsprechen nicht durchgehend dem Maßstab der Nachhaltigkeit. Nachhaltigkeit ist in der Arbeit über die Prinzipien der Integration, Partizipation und Verteilungsgerechtigkeit operationalisiert. Negative nicht nachhaltige Wirkungen in den Fallstudien sind beispielsweise welterbelabelbedingte Parallelstrukturen in den Stadtverwaltungen und Überlastungen lokaler Akteure (Verteilungsgerechtigkeit), intransparente Entscheidungsprozesse sowie die labelbedingte Produktion bzw. Verstärkung verwaltungsinterner Ressortgrenzen (Partizipation), welterbestatusbedingte Abschreckungen von lokalen Wirtschaftsakteuren sowie massive Gefährdungen des Bauerbes trotz Welterbelabel (Integration). Diese negativen Teilwirkungen des UNESCO-Labels sind unter anderem die Folge von Unachtsamkeit bzw. Desinteresse lokaler, insbesondere durchsetzungsstarker Akteure gegenüber potenziellen Wirkbereichen des Welterbelabels in der Stadtentwicklung. Die Nachhaltigkeitsthese besagt dementsprechend: Der Welterbestatus ist in den untersuchten Welterbestädten ein ungenutztes Potenzial für nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung. Denn die Wirkmöglichkeiten des Welterbestatus zur Beförderung des lokalen Denkmalschutzes, der lokalen Lebensqualität und Wirtschaftsentwicklung werden von den Akteuren der Stadtverwaltung, Privatwirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft nicht konsequent integrativ, transparent-partizipativ und effizient-ressourcengerecht bedacht und genutzt. 3. Das Welterbelabel ist ein räumlich differenziertes und akteursabhängiges Potenzial für die (nachhaltige) Stadtentwicklung (Raum- und Akteursthese). Es wirkt begleitend, statt entscheidend auf lokale Entwicklungen. Drittes Kernergebnis der Arbeit ist der Nachweis des UNESCO-Welterbelabels als ein relatives, nämlich räumlich differenziertes und akteursabhängiges Potenzial für die Stadtentwicklung. So betont die Raumthese der Arbeit den Einfluss des räumlichen Kontextes einer Welterbestadt auf die lokalen Möglichkeiten der Inwertsetzung und des Wirkens des Labels. Sie besagt: Das Potenzial des UNESCO-Weltkulturerbestatus für die Stadtentwicklung ist für Welterbestädte des peripheren Raumes größer als für Welterbestädte des metropolen Raumes, denn in Städten des peripheren Raumes mobilisiert der Welterbestatus deutlich stärker die Lokalakteure, Ideen und Aktivitäten zur Stadtentwicklung zu entwickeln und umzusetzen. Es sind Absichten und Aktivitäten zum Schutz und zur Nutzung des Welterbestatus. In der Tendenz sind die Wirkungen des Welterbestatus für den Schutz des baulichen (Welt-) Erbes und die soziokulturelle und ökonomische Stadtentwicklung zudem für periphere Welterbestädte relativ stärker als für Welterbestädte im metropolen Raum. Die Bedingungen für die Inwertsetzung des Welterbestatus sind allerdings im peripheren Raum relativ schlechter als in metropolen Welterbestädten, aufgrund begrenzter Finanz- und Personalressourcen der Lokalakteure aus Lokalwirtschaft, Zivilgesellschaft und Stadtverwaltung. Neben dem räumlichen Kontext einer Welterbestadt sind die Wirkungen des Welterbelabels in der Stadtentwicklung nachweislich vom Handeln der Lokalakteure abhängig. Die Akteursthese der Arbeit besagt: Das Potenzial des Welterbestatus für die Stadtentwicklung ist bedingt durch das Handeln der lokalen Akteure. Je aktiver und querschnittsorientierter Lokalakteure mit Durchsetzungsvermögen den Welterbestatus in Wert setzen, das heißt schützen und nutzen, desto deutlicher und vielfältiger sind die Wirkungen des UNESCO-Labels für die Stadtentwicklung im Rahmen des theoretisch Möglichen. Das prinzipiell positive wie negative Wirkpotenzial des UNESCO-Labels wird erst durch das Handeln, insbesondere durchsetzungsstarker Akteure wie leitende Stadtverwaltungsvertreter aktiviert. Das Wirkpotenzial des Welterbestatus in allen untersuchten Bereichen der Stadtentwicklung ist allerdings nachweislich begrenzt. Denn das Label spricht stets nur kleine Zielgruppen an und wirkt in ihnen als begleitendes, statt entscheidendes Argument für Verhaltensweisen. Ein stetes Mehr an lokalen Inwertsetzungsaktivitäten stößt letztlich an diese intrinsischen Wirkgrenzen des UNESCO-Labels (die Grenzen des theoretisch Möglichen) und damit auf den so genannten abnehmenden Grenznutzen. Zudem ist das lokale Wirken des Welterbelabels nicht allein von lokalen Bedingungen, wie dem Raumkontext der Stätte und das Akteurshandeln beeinflusst. Es steht nachweislich auch - in Einzelfällen sehr deutlich - im Zusammenhang mit überlokalen Bedingungen und Akteurshandlungen. 4. Differenzierte Ansätze, die den Raumkontext und die Akteurskonstellationen der Welterbestätte als Wirkbedingungen reflektieren und abstrahieren, sind praxisrelevante und übertragbare Anregungen dafür, den Welterbestatus nachhaltig als Potenzial der Stadtentwicklung zu erschließen. Letztes Kernergebnis der Arbeit sind zwei übertragbare Ansätze, die den Welterbestatus als Potenzial nachhaltiger Stadtentwicklung differenziert für die Konstellationen „Welterbestädte im metropolen Raum“ und „Welterbestädte im peripheren Raum“ erschließen. Sie bieten inhaltliche, strukturelle und prozessuale Anregungen für das (Verwaltungs-) Handeln in Welterbestädten, die auf den Fallstudienergebnissen, auf Erfahrungen weiterer deutscher Welterbestädte sowie auf den aktuellen internationalen Diskussionen zum Management von Welterbestätten beruhen. Das Forschungsergebnis zum relativen, raumdifferenzierten und akteursabhängigen Potenzial des Welterbelelabels für die Stadtentwicklung begründet die Differenzierung der Ansätze. Es ist zudem der Ansatzpunkt, um die vielschichtigen Situationen in den untersuchten Fallstudien nachvollziehbar in Form von context-mechanism-output configurations zu abstrahieren und damit die Übertragung der Ansätze auf andere Welterbestädte ähnlicher Konstellationen prinzipiell zu ermöglichen. Vor diesem Hintergrund sollte das Leitbild für den lokalen Umgang mit dem Welterbe(status) in metropolen Stadtregionen lauten: Das bauliche (Welt)Erbe der Stadt ist geschützt und wird genutzt und weiterentwickelt, ohne die ihm spezifischen und schützenswerten Charakteristika zu beeinträchtigen und vor dem Hintergrund eines starken Rückhaltes des Denkmalschutzes in der Stadtgesellschaft. Das Leitbild reflektiert sowohl den lokalen Handlungsbedarf und die ideelle Verpflichtung der Stadtgesellschaft gegenüber der internationalen Staatengemeinschaft, das (Welt-) Erbe dauerhaft zu schützen, als auch die empirisch-theoretisch begründete Folgerung, dass aus der lokalen Inwertsetzung des UNESCO-Labels keine bzw. maximal marginale Wirkungen für die lokale Wirtschafts- und soziokulturelle Stadtentwicklung resultieren. Es zielt weder auf das kategorische Ausschließen soziokultureller und wirtschaftlicher Entwicklungen im Welterbegebiet, noch auf den Rückzug der Denkmalpflege, sondern sucht, das Ausbalancieren von Schutz- und Entwicklungszielen nachhaltig zu qualifizieren. Das Leitbild entspricht in diesem Sinne grundsätzlich dem bekannten Leitbild der bewahrenden Stadtentwicklung. Die überlokale Sichtbarkeit des Welterbelabels sowie das garantierte Mindestmaß an Aufmerksamkeit und Mitgestaltungswillen für die lokale Stadtentwicklung seitens der internationalen UNESCO und ICOMOS definieren jedoch letztlich die besondere Chance und brisante Herausforderung des Welterbelabels für die nachhaltige Entwicklung in metropolen Stadtregionen. Der in der Arbeit entwickelte Ansatz für den lokalen Umgang mit dem Welterbelabel greift deshalb zunächst auf prozessuale und strukturelle Elemente zurück, die eine nachhaltige, bewahrende Entwicklung auch in Nichtwelterbestädten fördern und detailliert diese dann in wenige Punkten entsprechend der spezifischen Notwendigkeiten und Erfahrungen in UNESCO-Weltkulturerbestädten. Die welterbespezifischen Notwendigkeiten berühren in metropolen Welterbestädten in erster Linie die nachhaltige \"Sicherung der Qualität von Planungszielen, Maßnahmen und Projekten\" für das (Welt-) Erbegebiet in konfliktfreier Kooperation mit den überlokalen Welterbegremien und ohne Aufgabe der kommunalen Selbstbestimmung sowie die nachhaltige Verankerung des Welterbeschutzgedankens in der lokalen Stadtgesellschaft. Das Leitbild für den Umgang mit dem Welterbe(status) in peripheren Stadtregionen sollte in Ergänzung dazu lauten: Das bauliche (Welt-)Erbe der Stadt ist geschützt und wird genutzt und weiterentwickelt, ohne die ihm spezifischen und schützenswerten Charakteristika zu beeinträchtigen und vor dem Hintergrund eines starken Rückhaltes der Denkmalpflege in der Stadtgesellschaft. Der Welterbestatus wird nachhaltig und erfolgreich genutzt, um soziokulturelle und wirtschaftliche Stabilität bzw. Entwicklungen zu befördern. Im Unterschied zu Welterbestädten im metropolen Raum zielt das Leitbild, neben dem nachhaltigen Schutz des (Welt-)Erbes, folglich auch auf die Nutzung des Welterbelabels für die soziokulturelle und wirtschaftliche Entwicklung bzw. Stabilität der Stadt. Denn sowohl die Handlungsbedarfe in peripheren Welterbestädten, als auch die lokalen Inwertsetzungsabsichten und die theoretisch begründbaren Wirkmöglichkeiten des Welterbestatus sprechen für die Aktivierung der soziokulturellen und wirtschaftlichen Wirkchancen des UNESCO-Welterbelabels. Dabei ist es entscheidend, lokale Strukturen und Prozesse auf- bzw. auszubauen, die nicht nur der Inwertsetzung des UNESCO-Labels dienen, sondern allgemeinhin die sozioökonomische Entwicklung der Stadt fördern. Denn zum einen sind in peripheren Städten die lokalen Handlungsressourcen begrenzt und zum anderen sind den Wirkmöglichkeiten des UNESCO-Titels intrinsische Grenzen gesetzt. Die überlokale Sichtbarkeit des Welterbelabels, die nationale ideelle Mitverantwortung für die lokale Welterbepflege sowie der Zugang zu (inter-)nationalen Welterbenetzwerken definieren letztlich die besondere Chance des Labels für die nachhaltige Entwicklung in peripheren Städten. Der detaillierte Ansatz für den lokalen Umgang mit dem Welterbelabel thematisiert folglich auch, wie diese spezifischen Möglichkeiten nachhaltig genutzt werden könnten. Letztlich liegt in der systematisch differenzierenden Untersuchung zu den Wirkungen verschiedener lokaler Welterbemanagementsysteme weiterer Forschungsbedarf. Es sind Best Practice Beispiele für die nachhaltige (Welt-) Erbepflege und sozioökonomische Welterbelabelnutzung zu identifzieren und kommunizieren, um die Idee des weltweiten Erbes der Menschheit in allen, metropolen wie peripheren Regionen umsetzen zu helfen. Die UNESCO als Träger der Welterbeidee sollte derartige Forschungen verstärkt anstoßen und kommunizieren und damit stärker als bisher ein konstruktiver Partner für die gestaltenden Akteure in Welterbestätten sein. Im Ergebnis ist die Arbeit sowohl ein Beitrag zu aktuellen welterbebezogenen Fachdiskussionen (Welterbemanagement), als auch zu den gegenwärtigen Ziel- (Leitbilddiskussion zur Nachhaltigkeit) und Steuerungsdiskussionen in der Raumentwicklung (Governance, evidenzbasierte Planung).