Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Environmental policy Case studies'
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Babikwa, Daniel J. "'Environmental policy to community action': methodology and approaches in community-based environmental education programmes in Uganda." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003400.
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This research was conducted in Luwero, a rural district in central Uganda, over a period of three years, half of which entailed fulltime engagement in a participatory action research process with VEDCO, an indigenous NGO. The study focuses on the educational processes involved in the translation of Uganda's environmental policy into action at community level. It looks at community-based education and development activities run by VEDCO among smallholder farmers. The study addressed four objectives. For the first objective I developed a conceptual framework through a review of theories informing education in general and environmental education, adult education, community education, and community development in particular. The second objective was to conduct a situational analysis to identify contextual issues related to policy implementation at community level. The third objective was to engage in a participatory action research process with the NGO in the farming community in response to the identified contextual issues, and the fourth was to explore and comment on environmental education methods used within a community context. PRA techniques, interviews, and other participatory data collection methods were used to generate the data. The study reveals contradictions that limit NGO capacity to make appropriate use of participatory education processes in implementing policy-related training at community level. Elements in the National Plan for the Modernisation of Agriculture, for example, conflicted with the principle of sustainable development underlying the policy. VEDCO itself was changing from a social-welfare-oriented organisation into a commercial enterprise pursuing economic goals, which conflicted with its social goals. The capitalist development ideology of the donor was being adopted by VEDCO, which contradicted the goals of people-centred development. This was exacerbated by VEDCO's dependency on donor funds for its activities. Contextual issues like people's history; poverty, gender and inconsistent land policies further complicated the policy implementation processes. There were also inconsistencies in the epistemological assumptions and didactic approaches evident in the implementation. The study shows that the intended emancipatory education processes are more often supplanted by technicist methodologies. Thus, it exposes the underlying historical, ideological and epistemological tensions and contradictions within the field of education, particularly in relation to the `paradigmatic' orientations (neo-classical, liberal and socially critical/emancipatory) outlined in the literature. Conclusions are made at two levels: in relation to the study goals, of examining policy implementation at community level and in terms of the study's contribution to the understanding of current education theory in the context of sustainable development among communities.
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Persson, Åsa Maria. "Choosing environmental policy instruments : case studies of municipal waste policy in Sweden and England." Thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), 2007. http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/909/.
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European governments have during the last couple of decades shown an interest in new types of environmental policy instruments (EPIs) such as environmental taxes, tradable permit schemes and voluntary approaches, as opposed to relying on traditional forms of regulation. The interest in so-called ‘new’ EPIs (NEPIs) has led many governments to commit both to a more diverse EPI mix and to a policy process characterised by procedural rationality, in terms of considering a wide range of alternative instruments and assessing them in a systematic and transparent way. The first aim of this thesis is to examine the success of the quest for NEPIs at the national level in the field of municipal waste policy in two countries; the UK (England) and Sweden. In addition to mapping out EPI diversity, two contrasting theories on the pattern of adoption of instruments over time are evaluated, specifically focusing on the degree of coercion associated with EPIs. It is found that the waste policy mix in England has become more diverse, while the Swedish mix is characterised by a higher degree of coercion. The second aim is to analyse whether the instrument choice process has become more procedurally rational, and, if so, conducive to the adoption of NEPIs. A range of instrument choice theories at the macro-, meso- and micro-levels drawn from the public policy and political science literature are used to explain whether the ideal of procedural rationality is achievable or not. A case study methodology is used, in which the processes leading to the landfill allowance trading scheme (LATS) in England and and the waste incineration tax in Sweden are studied. It is found that the procedural rationality was higher in the England case, but that it is not a necessary nor sufficient cause for adoption of a NEPI.
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Kelly, Geoffrey. "National policy choices for an international problem case studies in greenhouse policy /." Access electronically, 2008. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/86.
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Minter, Susan Miriam. "Linking environmental policy with economic development : a case study in urban recycling." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/68737.
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Timoseva, Anastasija. "Renewable Energy Policy: A Comparative Case Study of Latvia and Sweden." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-389886.
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In autumn 2017, a news scandal surfaced in the Latvian media about a potential subsidy scam by the renewable energy generating companies. The scandal bought the attention of the Latvian government towards the renewable energy policy in Latvia with thoughts to research the existing support system and potentially change it to a new one. This situation provided the ground for reviewing the Latvian renewable energy policy in a comparison study with another European Union (EU) member country with an example of a good renewable energy policy implementation. Sweden was selected as the subject for the studies. This study was performed through a qualitative empirical data review, using documents and journal articles as the main information sources. The study has shown that both Sweden and Latvia take a leading position within the EU when it comes to the renewable energy share in the final energy mix regardless of the considerable gap in the quality of governance index that has an impact on the sustainable development of a country. A comparison of Latvian and Swedish policy also shows a difference in the policy consistency and stability. Lack of coherent policy terminology throughout the different authoritative information sources, more frequent policy revisions than in Sweden and general lack of data availability summarizes the situation in Latvia. The research has identified that the main difference between Latvian and Swedish renewable energy policy is the administrative processes surrounding it. In general, it can be said that Sweden has a more transparent system with less bureaucracy whereas in Latvia the process is more complex and therefore is more susceptible to corruption.
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Hamlin, Samantha L. "Lone Wolves and Copycats: Assessing Policy and Infrastructure for Flood Hazard and Floodplain Management." PDXScholar, 2018. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4654.
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To mitigate flood hazard, which affects millions of people every year, increasing numbers of communities are developing green infrastructure policies to not only mitigate the hazard, but to meet other community policy objectives, as green infrastructure is often cited for the multiple benefits it confers. To support the implementation of policies that help communities meet their policy objectives, however, it is imperative to understand how policy is innovated and adopted. To do so, I applied the internal determinants and regional diffusion models, what I refer to as the lone wolf and copycat models. In policy, a lone wolf innovates a policy to meet a specific, internal objective; this objective may include economic, environmental, or social needs. A copycat evaluates the efficacy of a policy in other municipalities before adopting it for its own use. Because infrastructure is one of the primary routes of implementing flood hazard and floodplain management policies, I developed a framework that describes the relationship between these two models. In this framework, a community may rely more heavily on either gray or green infrastructure, while also being more of a lone wolf or copycat in the ways in which it adopts policy.
Based on this framework, I analyzed four Oregon communities -- Eugene, Milton-Freewater, Prineville, and Sherwood -- that exemplify these different infrastructure and policy approaches. From this case study analysis, I developed several propositions to explain why each community pursued certain policies. I then expanded this research to floodplain administrators across the state, using a key informant questionnaire to capture the managerial and demographic characteristics that correlate with the adoption of green infrastructure in over 100 Oregon communities. I found that urbanization strongly correlated with the use of green infrastructure, as did a floodplain administrator having professional experience with flooding, being knowledgeable about flood mitigation infrastructure, and talking more frequently to other floodplain administrators. Finally, I use my research framework for an in-depth case study of the internal determinants model. I focus on a community in the Portland metropolitan area, Sherwood, and a program the community developed in the early 1990s to protect extensive areas of open space, greenways, and floodplains to preserve a unique community identity. In pursuing these objectives, Sherwood spearheaded the creation of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, the first urban wildlife refuge in the country.
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Haksar, Annika. "Environmental effects of economywide policies : case studies of Costa Rica and Sri Lanka." Doctoral thesis, Stockholm : Economic Research Institute, Stockholm School of Economics [Ekonomiska forskningsinstitutet vid Handelshögsk.] (EFI), 1997. http://www.hhs.se/efi/summary/452.htm.
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Flint, Adrian. "How green is our future? Thor Chemicals: a case study in South African environmental policy." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002986.
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This study focuses on South African Environmefltal policy; in particular its policies regarding hazardous waste. These policies are addressed within the framework of a case study which serves as basis to critically evaluate government environmental policies both past and present. The thesis examines South African environmental policy against the backdrop of competing schools of thought regarding the relationship between growth and development on the one hand and long term environmental security on the other. Development strategies such as Sustainable Development and the government's Growth, Employment and Redistribution as well as philosophies such as Deep Ecology will be discussed. The thesis argues that Non-Governmental Organisations are the holders of a real environmental ethic and thus their role in preventing environmental degradation is of critical importance. Furthermore, it is imperative that this ethic be disseminated across society if South Africa is to successfully pursue sound environmental policies. This argument is pursued by way of a case study, Thor Chemicals: a company responsible for the running of the largest mercury recovery facility in the world. This plant, which operated in Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal, has been the source of much controversy since it was found that many of its employees and ex-employees were suffering from severe mercury poisoning resulting in two fatalities. The company was also involved in the importation of hazardous wastes as well as the pollution of the surrounding environment. Thor is currently the subject of inquiry by the government-appointed Davis Commission. It is pointed out that ill the past South Africa held no real environmental ethic and environmental degradation ensued as a result. The presented thesis argues that, despite assurances to the contrary, the present government is also without a true environmental ethic that will be effective in preventing future degradation.
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Fahey, Nathan Satya Cragg. "THE USE OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY MAKING AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH: A CASE STUDY OF BISMUTH SHOTSHELLS." Thesis, University of Waterloo, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/995.
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Scientific information is required to make environmental policy that will enhance and protect the health of ecosystems. The issues placed on the policy agenda come from the interactions amongst stakeholders, decision makers and other influential actors. These actors include government, civil society, private sector, and planning regimes. Ideally, scientific research then provides members of the policy community with assessed options upon which final decisions are eventually made. This process is more complex than most in the realm of environmental policy because the goal of sustainability, commonly advocated by government, should serve to guide choices regarding policy alternatives. Sustainability, in practice, requires simultaneous attention to factors such as the needs of present and future generations; consideration for vastly differing social, environmental, and economic perspectives; and development of effective strategies to deal with the interconnectedness and complexity of the world. Management of these factors demands an ability to collect and process massive amounts of information at different temporal and spatial scales. The complexity of such situations means that there are instances when scientific information is not available and decisions need to be made quickly.
Using a case study approach, this thesis investigates the Canadian Wildlife Service?s attempts to achieve its mandate of conserving migratory birds while approving bismuth as an alternative to lead that was shown to cause poisoning of birds. This case study serves as an example of the tension between limited or ambiguous scientific information and urgent decisions. The chosen policy alternative to the use of lead shot was the approval of bismuth shot as a non-toxic substitute in 1997 and banning the use of lead shot nationwide in 1999. This decision to approve bismuth shot was based upon a few studies that were interpreted in a way that made it appear benign when compared to lead. This thesis examines the implications of this decision by conducting a comprehensive literature review of bismuth?s interactions with soil, vegetation, and animals, with some medical information on humans to put findings into an anthropocentric context. Also, analysis has been carried out on the results of a four-year study on bismuth in a wetland site near Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Finally, a ?post-normal perspective? exploration of the Canadian Wildlife Service revealed that decisions could be harmful to both human and environmental health if the values and knowledge of stakeholders are not taken into account and if uncertainties are overlooked.
Key findings generated by the literature review were potential chronic impacts to the neurological and reproductive health of animals exposed to bismuth shot. In turn, bismuth-contaminated meat may be a source of bismuth for humans and therefore guidelines for consumption should be investigated. Also, soil and vegetation have also been shown to accumulate bismuth, but it is unknown if it amounts to toxic levels. The wetland study helped to address the literature gap of bismuth?s fate in the environment. The mean concentration of bismuth in the soil after four years was 6. 40 µg/g, which was significantly higher than the control soil mean of 0. 42 µg/g. Ultimately, in terms of environmental policy, a ?post-normal perspective? offers three main tools for decision makers faced with urgent issues and uncertain facts. Namely, extended peer communities, acknowledgement and demonstration of uncertainty, and making values explicit.
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Liang, Meiying. "The Authoritarian Environmentalism in China : - “air policy” implementation research in Jing-Jin-Ji region as case studies." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för samhällsstudier (SS), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-80648.
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The concept of “Environmental authoritarian” becomes the focus of discussion in the academic field of environmental politics since it has limited observations. In the recent years, the severe air pollute issue is considered as a threat by both citizens and authorities in China. Along with the more stricter environmental protection laws being issued, even the measures of the factory closings and coal ban seems to become acceptable as the population have suffered in the heavy smog for years. Does this led to the rise of “environmental authoritarian” in China? Taking this as a heuristic point, I observe the positions of various stakeholders in the environmental governance as well as present the findings from research on the implementation and enforcement of air pollution controls measures in Jing-Jin-Ji region. I offer a critical examination of “environmental authoritarian”, especially the levels of public participation at the policy process. After to do the research, the key funding is that the concept of “Environmental authoritarian” is too simplified, it cannot cover the complex and detailed environmental governance at local empirical cases.
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Ulbrich, Bryan Armand 1969. "The implementation of environmental policy on Indian lands: A case study on the Pueblo of Isleta." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291868.
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This paper examines the implementation of environmental policy on Indian land, by conducting a case study of the Pueblo of Isleta. In 1992 the EPA acknowledged the jurisdictional authority of the Pueblo to establish water quality standards for the Rio Grande. The Pueblo has since attempted to implement these standards despite opposition from the city of Albuquerque. The premise of this paper is that tribes, in general, have assumed a greater role in regulating their environments although financial, technical, and statutory impediments continue to thwart complete tribal control. By examining the historical process of inclusion of tribes into the regulatory arena and applying this to the Pueblo of Isleta, this paper presents a concise analysis of one tribes response to the intricacies of environmental regulation.
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Pham, Khanh Katherine. "Between a Rock and a Hot Place: Economic Development and Climate Change Adaptation in Vietnam." PDXScholar, 2018. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4498.
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This thesis explores 1) the ways that three Vietnamese infrastructure development projects undermine their cities' climate change adaptation goals and 2) the political and economic forces driving these developments. In-depth interviews highlight four main perspectives of planners and decision makers, which explain why these infrastructure projects often undermine cities' climate resilience goals. I describe how the mainstream climate change adaptation planning approach, with its emphasis on participatory planning, good governance and green growth, implicitly reinforces the neoliberal growth model, even as it seeks to ameliorate the inequality and ecological destruction that such a growth model creates. My research reveals how Vietnam's growth-first economic model and its dependence on international finance means that its climate adaptation priorities are increasingly shaped by the interests of financial institutions, and not necessarily the public interest. I argue that even if the strategies proposed by Vietnamese planners and climate adaptation practitioners are adopted, maladaptive projects will continue in Vietnam, unless the underlying economic growth imperative is addressed.
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Tsang, Sai-wing Terence, and 曾世榮. "An evaluation on the implementation of environmental protection policies in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1998. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31965386.
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Nishimura, Yasuyuki 1969. "Application of dynamic strategic planning to urban transit projects : case studies of Boston and Osaka." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/80187.
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Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Technology and Policy Program, 1999.Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-142).
by Yasuyuki Nishimura.
S.M.
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Raizada, Rachana. "Corporate responses to government and environmental group actions designed to protect the environment." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp02/NQ27230.pdf.
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Cato, Mary E. "The Limits of Law as Technology for Environmental Policy: A Case Study of the Bronx Community Paper Company." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36754.
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This thesis examines environmental law as a social technology, using approaches from science and technology studies, including methods for studying controversies as well as actornetwork and technology transfer concepts. Legal technologies, including statutes, regulations, and lawsuits, have become significant participants in United States environmental policy. That policy developed during the twentieth century in response to contrasting concerns about nature (development of natural resources vs. protection of native species and wilderness), along with growing concern about urban environmental issues (such as air and water quality, and waste disposal). The environmental movement that began after World War II gained power with provisions incorporated into 1970s environmental legislation allowing citizens to sue polluting industries and corporations. Opposition to environmentalism developed in the 1980s, as wise use and property rights movements seeking to expand development of natural resources, and an environmental justice movement concerned with issues and constituencies not addressed by mainstream environmental organizations. As a result of that opposition, the environmental movement in the United States has strengthened, and broadened both the memberships in varied organizations and the range of issues addressed. A case study of the Bronx Community Paper Company provides an example of the current state of environmental law and policy in the United States, and the limited ability of legal technologies to resolve increasingly complex environmental controversies.Master of Science
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Mogotsi, Barulaganye Jones. "Implementation of local agenda 21's education, awareness and training component : a case study of Gaborone /." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2006. http://eprints.ru.ac.za/508/.
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Kruglikova, Nina. "The environmental NGO as mediator of scientific knowledge : an ethnographic study." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.669734.
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Perelman, Jenna. "Increasing Energy Efficiency in Existing Residential Buildings: A Case Study of the Community Home Energy Retrofit Project (CHERP)." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2016. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/793.
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This thesis uses a case study of the Community Home Energy Retrofit Project (CHERP) and it analyzes the larger statewide effort in California to increase energy efficiency in existing residential buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CHERP’s primary strategy is to embed itself into a community, educate residents on the multiple benefits of energy efficiency, and inspire them to take energy-saving actions in their own homes. It then builds its own community by connecting like-minded individuals together and provides an opportunity for them to exercise their political agency. This thesis analyzes CHERP’s effort in the context of the political, social, and economic climate of California. It identifies three obstacles for widespread energy efficiency adoption: one, CHERP’s lack of funding to support permanent staff and pay for collateral materials; two, low access to energy efficiency measures for low-income households and renters; and three, a lack of high quality home performance contractors that perform energy efficiency upgrades utilizing a whole-house energy systems approach. The thesis concludes with five recommendations to overcome these issues.
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Katara, Isidora. "Teleconnection patterns and fisheries-environment interactions : case-studies from the Mediterranean." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 2009. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=136693.
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The impact of climate on fisheries resources has become a focal point for fisheries research. The objective of this thesis is to describe different aspects of the impact of teleconnections on marine ecosystems within the Mediterranean. Chapter I describes interactions between teleconnection patterns and oceanic variability in the Mediterranean. Atmospheric variability over the Atlantic and Eurasian sector forces oceanic circulation in the western Mediterranean, by altering the route of Atlantic storm tracks. The Indian monsoons are found to be related to gyre and upwelling formations in the eastern Mediterranean. Important links between the Mediterranean Oscillation and hemispheric circulation are also discussed. Chapter II studies the impact of atmospheric and oceanic forcing on the spatiotemporal distribution of chlorophyll-a concentration in the Mediterranean. A number of teleconnection indices with an important role in determining chlorophyll-a concentration are identified, especially for coastal areas, upwellings and gyres. Chapter III has an exploratory nature, with common trends in the landings of 41 fish species from the eastern Mediterranean identified and compared to fishing effort or large-scale environmental drivers. Teleconnections over the Atlantic or El Nino-related teleconnections, filtered by local SST and wind variability, are highlighted as driving forces behind some of the observed common landing trends. Chapter IV focuses on the biological complex of two commercial species, anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus). The results suggest that the West African Summer Monsoon, the East Atlantic Jet and the Pacific North American teleconnection patterns have a consistent correlation with anchovy and sardine distribution and abundance. Relationships between oceanic circulation in the Mediterranean and atmospheric variability over the neighbouring oceanic and continental masses were described and linked to biological variability. Oceanic structures that interrupt the oligotrophic regime of the area are affected by teleconnection patterns and in turn they influence fisheries productivity. Interactions between teleconnection patterns and fisheries can explain a large proportion of the observed fluctuations in marine resources and synchronicity between species and locations. The processes modulating the effects of climatic forcing vary at fine spatiotemporal scales, the different characteristics and habitat requirements of the species and interactions between the species. Further research is essential in order to delineate these effects and improve the management of marine resources in the persistently over-exploited environment of the Mediterranean Sea.
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Brown, Gwynne D. "Intentional Introductions of Non-Indigenous Species: A Case Study of Policy and Management Affecting Crassostrea gigas." W&M ScholarWorks, 1992. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539617643.
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Cho, Seong Yun. "Environmental Justice in Natural Disaster Mitigation Policy and Planning: a Case Study of Flood Risk Management in Johnson Creek, Portland, Oregon." PDXScholar, 2018. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4502.
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This study aims to explore the possibility of environmental justice as social consensus and an institutional framework to reduce socioeconomic differences in natural disaster vulnerability through a case study of flood risk management in Johnson Creek, Portland, Oregon. First, by analyzing institutions, policies, and currently ongoing flood mitigation projects, this study investigates how federal and local governments are addressing and responding to current flood problems. Second, through flood expert surveys and GIS spatial analysis, this study examines various factors that contribute to communities' susceptibility to flood risks, and whether there exist spatial differences between physically and socioeconomically vulnerable communities within the Johnson Creek area. Lastly, this study conducted comparative analysis of perceptions using Q-methodology to explore the diverse range of meanings and understandings that flood experts and urban practitioners construct in relation to the dilemmas of environmental justice in flood mitigation practice. The findings of this study indicate that institutional blind spots and barriers in natural disaster mitigation policy and planning can be generated by flood experts' and urban practitioners' different understandings of vulnerability, different interpretations of human rights, and different perspectives on the extent of institutional responsibility to assist socioeconomically vulnerable populations.
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Lee, Elizabeth H. "Perceptions and Evaluation of an Urban Environment for Pedestrian Friendliness: A Case Study." DigitalCommons@CalPoly, 2010. https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/391.
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Public health is an increasingly important issue addressed from both environmental and public health sectors for the future development of urban environments. From a planning perspective, one possible solution is to increase walkability throughout the cities. Many assessment methods are being developed and administered to evaluate the quality of existing urban environments to promote walkable cities/communities. The results from using these methods provide policymakers and stakeholders with valuable information regarding the existing physical conditions of the environment. Although several US cities started to develop and refocus plans toward pedestrian-oriented policies approaches, results from this particular study determined that the quality of pedestrian environments cannot solely be determined by using available assessment tools and recommend additional analytical methods used in conjunction with source data to provide a complete perspective to successfully increase the quality of life. The condition of the physical environment – high, average, and low quality – was important contributing factors to increase walkability, yet, it is equally important to understand and consider the needs, preferences and perceptions of end users when public officials are charged with the task of developing plan proposals for pedestrian neighborhoods. This study addresses these issues through a case study examining the quality of pedestrian environment and how people perceive those surroundings of downtown San Luis Obispo.
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Rozance, Mary Ann. "Recognizing and Addressing Risk Ambiguity in Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning: a Case Study of Miami-Dade County, Florida." PDXScholar, 2019. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4673.
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As coastal cities around the world identify and implement adaptations to sea level rise, they are faced with competing interests around what should be done and how to prioritize actions. Often, environmental problems--like confronting the challenge of sea level rise--are posed as requiring expert driven, technical solutions to identify and mitigate risks across the landscape. This framing, however, ignores the way in which diverse knowledge can help inform long-term planning horizons that address complex ways that sea level rise affects communities. The failure to integrate diverse knowledge into sea level rise adaptation can result in barriers to implementation and outcomes that can reproduce inequities. In environmental planning, knowledge integration challenges can stem from ambiguity around the construction of environmental risk knowledge, as well as institutional arrangements that inhibit diverse involvement. Ambiguity refers to a context in which there are different and sometimes conflicting views on how to understand the problem or system to be managed, for example, conflicts around what risks to measure and how to measure them. This manifests in the ways that different groups construct and use knowledge about risks. Often ignored in planning contexts and research on sea level rise adaptation, ambiguity--particularly around social risks--are critical to address, since they can determine whether diverse knowledge about risks are integrated or ignored in planning. This dissertation uses a case study of Miami-Dade County, Florida and is guided by the question: how do different groups understand risk within sea level rise, and what planning and governance factors influence the way diverse dimensions of risk are integrated into adaptation strategies? Findings from this case study suggest that baselines, projections, and the focus of risk rooted in an economic discourse based on short-term planning horizons and technical constructions of risk have more authority as compared with counter arguments around ecological and social risks. Recommendations include the need for transparent adaptation decisions and the inclusion of diverse stakeholders in the production of regional climate science, sea level rise assessments, and adaptation planning. A more integrated approach can better address diverse risks and facilitate long-term planning.
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Kumin, Enid C. "Ecosystem-Based Management and Refining Governance Of Wind Energy in the Massachusetts Coastal Zone: A Case Study Approach." Antioch University / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1438439831.
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Jenkins, Msawenkosi Wiseman. "Curriculum recontextualising using gardens for the health promotion in the life orientation learning area of the senior phase." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003368.
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With a view to understanding how curriculum is interpreted at classroom practice level, the study examined three stories of how the environmental discourse of the National Curriculum Statements (R-9) was recontextualised using school gardens in the Life Orientation Learning Area for the Senior Phase. To understand how the curriculum is recontextualised, I used Bernstein's theory of recontexutalisation where he explained how official pedagogic discourse (OPD) (in this case the environmental discourse is first delocated once it is transferred from the field of production (FOP) and relocated in the recontextualising field (where teacher educators and departmental officials mediate the discourse) and in the field of reproduction (FOR) which is the classroom and school. Bernstein explained that as the discourse is delocated and relocated it undergoes transformation. This transformation is influenced by practitioners' prior-knowledge, experience, culture and beliefs and other factors. To understand how transformation of the environmental discourse takes place, Bernstein's conceptual constructs of selective appropriation and ideological transformation were applied to an interpretation of three lesson processes, to explain how the discourse was changed. Each lesson was reviewed in terms of the selective appropriations and ideological transformations which took place. All three of the lessons observed took place in one school, and as such the study is designed as an interpretive case study where I have tried to make meaning from a rich, thick description of a specific case context. The school is located in Bizana, one of the villages in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province,, and is currently in the process of implementing South Africa’s new National Curriculum Statement (NCS) like all other schools in South Africa. In conducting the research I observed lessons, interviewed the learners and teachers, and a community member and the manager of the SANBI greening project, and I also analysed documents which included the NCS for Life Orientation, and teachers planning documents and learners work produced in the lessons. I started the study by conducting a document analysis of the NCS, through which I identified dimensions of the Official Pedagogic Discourse. This was used as a framework to review the lessons to understand how the OPD was being recontextualised. The study concludes by discussing the key findings of the study in the form of a set of analytical statements. Some of the findings indicate that teachers have not been given adequate training for understanding and implementing the NCS which affects the recontextualisation process. The study shows that there is a dire need for professional development if the OPD is to be interpreted adequately by teachers so that its implementation at the meso and micro- levels becomes clear and effective.
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Movahed, Arezu. "Physical and Environmental Features that Contribute to Satisfaction with Hospice Facilities." PDXScholar, 1995. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1283.
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Improving the quality of remaining life for individuals who are terminally ill and their families is an issue that has become increasingly important in recent years. This issue has evolved from perceived deficiencies of conventional health care institutions in meeting the needs of people who are in the final stages of their life, when curative measures are no longer deemed appropriate. In response to deficiencies in care of the terminally ill and their families, there has been a movement toward humanizing conventional health care and making it more holistic. Hospice care, which is consistent with this movement, has evolved as an alternative to hospitals and nursing homes. The purpose (of this study was to investigate the physical environment (building and grounds) of a free-standing hospice facility to identify the features that would contribute to the design and renovation of other hospices and health care facilities that plan to adopt a hospice program of care. In this study, an attempt was made to examine how architectural factors combine in a hospice setting to meet the needs of the dying and their families and those who work in hospices. Specifically, this study used a qualitative, case study approach to describe and develop an understanding of the feelings and experiences of the users of a particular hospice facility concerning the physical environment of that facility. Post Occupancy Evaluation Methodology, which is a process to assess the performance of the built environment after it has been occupied for some time, was employed. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed three distinct environments within the facility to be of major importance to the users when discussing the physical surroundings. The three separate areas of importance were the grounds, the administrative offices, and the patient care unit. The findings of the study will be of use to designers, architects, and planners, as well as hospice advocates, as they will assist them in conceptualizing essential components of hospice design and in creating better hospice facilities in the future.
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Kwan, Cheng Lai-man Heidi, and 關鄭麗敏. "Recycling business in Hong Kong: an economic and environmental perspective." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1993. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31252643.
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Tengbeh, Sahr. "Crime analysis and police station location in Swaziland : a case study in Manzini." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1013.
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Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Criminal activity and police station locations have an inherent geography that needs to be understood in order for crime prevention strategies to be reasonably effective. This study analysed the spatiotemporal pattern of crime in the city of Manzini, in Swaziland, for the period of 2004 and determined suitable locations for future police stations. Four categories of crime were analysed. These were crimes against property, crimes against people, drug related crimes and crimes against public order. Five main analyses were performed namely: overlay analysis, proximity analysis, temporal analysis, morphological analysis, and accessibility analysis. The findings suggest that crimes against property are the most prevalent category of crime in Manzini with a prevalence rate of 84.2%. This category was followed by crimes against people (11.9%), drug related crimes (3.5%), and crimes against public order (0.4%). Landuses associated with transportation experienced the highest amount (22%) of crime in Manzini. There was a strong relationship between incidents of crime and areas with medium to high population density. The proximity analysis revealed that the highest concentration of incidents of crime was between 50 and 100 metres from alcohol serving establishments in Manzini. In a similar analysis, the proximity of incidents of crime to educational institutions was concentrated between 500 and 1000 metres whereas the proximity of incidents of crime to the Manzini police station was dominant between 250 and 500 metres. Of all recorded incidents of crime 87% occurred during the day while 13% occurred during the night. In areas of high-crime concentration such as the bus rank and the Manzini market, it was established that the structural layout of these areas promoted criminal activity. The accessibility analysis showed that seven police stations are necessary to ensure that people do not walk more than 30 minutes to the nearest police station in Manzini. The study concluded that crime prevention strategies would require the intervention of both the police and city planners to be reasonably successful. It also noted that the establishment of accessible police stations would complement the efforts of the police in their endeavour to combat crime in Manzini.
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Onyebueke, Victor Udemezue. "Policy implications of the spatial and structural relationships of the informal and formal business sectors in urban Nigeria : the case of Enugu (1990-2010)." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/79889.
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Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The 21st Century is witnessing the concurrence of neoliberal globalisation and widespread informalisation. To this extent, the informal sector or economy is perceived as a permanent ‘feature of modern capitalist development’ (Chen 2007: 2). Its expansion, particularly in developing countries, has far reaching implications for employment generation, occupational or livelihood diversification, urban form dynamics, urban planning, as well as the general economic outcome. The historical evolutionary truth of the informal origin of most businesses coupled with the reality of informal-formal sector continuum gives credence to the critical imperative of multi-path development regime that does not consider the informal sector as a dead end. Consequently, the research explored the policy implications of the spatial and structural relationships between the informal and formal business sectors in urban Nigeria. The study region is viewed from the prism of Enugu, the major administrative centre in the southeast region of the country. Here, spatial-structural causalities at the city level are conjectured as surrogates of the globalisation-induced transformations occurring in the country from 1990 to 2010 (Andranovich & Riposa 1993). The research sought to: one, examine the extent relationships between the distribution structures of two economic segments in the city; and two, explore the changes in inter-sectoral linkages and the urban business landscape mediated by the global-local economic changes. To guide the study, two research hypotheses were formulated, viz.: (1) to prove whether or not some significant spatial/structural relationships exist between the distribution of informal and formal business units in the study area; and (2) to verify if the observed changes in the spatial and structural relationships between the two segments are accounted for by the same sets of physical, economic, and socio-cultural variables. The study made use of primary and secondary data, which were collected via mixed research methods. The proportional stratified sampling was used where necessary. The primary data were collected through casual observation/recognisance, photographic and questionnaire surveys, and semi-structured personal interviews; while the secondary data were sourced from literature review, maps and databanks of local governments and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The data analytical procedure involved data reduction and hypotheses testing. The former technique consists of sectoral aggregation (the segmentation by coherent attribute-sectors) and spatial aggregation (translation from quantitative into spatial dimensions) (Wang & Vom Hofe 2007), while the latter required the use of Spatial Statistics Analysis toolsets of the ArGIS software and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the SPSS package. The Spatial Statistics Analysis (the Spatial Autocorrelation or Moran’s I index) and PCA results permitted the rejection of the two null hypotheses respectively. The Moran’s I index is 0.16 with a Z score of 159.78 at a significant level of .01 and critical value of 2.58, revealing a highly clustered spatial association (or dependence) between the informal and formal business distribution in the study area. Based on the eigenvalues of 10 selected variables, the PCA extracted three major determinants of the observed spatial-structural causalities, namely: socio-economic and cultural traits or business ethos, client base and market control, and physical environment/business transaction mode. The findings challenges the received model of Nigeria retail hierarchy, and among the key recommendations for guaranteeing stronger informal-formal sector linkages that are generative of sustainable endogenous development are: (i) the reinstatement of the import substitution programme; (ii) implementation of the innovative Cluster Concept of Industrial Development Strategy (CCIDS) of 2007; and (iii) adoption of urban planning standards that are pro-informal sector.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die 21ste eeubeleefonsgelyktydigneoliberaleglobalisasie en wydverspreideinformalisasie. Samelopendhiermee word die informelesektorvandieekonomiegesien as ’n “permanentekenmerk van die kapitalistieseontwikkeling.” (Chen 2007: 2). Die uitbreidingdaarvan, veral in ontwikkelendelande, het verreikendeimplikasies vir die skepping van werksgeleenthede, die diversifikasie van loopbaan- en broodwinnings-moontlikhede, stedelikevorms, stedelikebeplanning, asookalgemeneekonomieseuitkomstes. Die historieseevolusionêrewaarheidoor die oorsprong van die meestebesighede, tesame met die realiteit van die informelesektorkontinuum, verleengeloofwaardigheidaandie kritiesebelangrikheid van die multi-pad ontwikkelingraamwerkwaarbinne die informelesektorniegesien word as ’n doodloopstraatnie. Gevolglik het die navorser die beleidsimplikasies van die ruimtelike- en struktureleverhoudingtussen die informele en die formele sake-sektors in stedelikeNigeriëondersoek. Die studiegebied word besigtigvanuit die prisma van Enugu, die hoof administratiewesentrum van die suidelikestreek van Nigerië. Hier word ruimetelik-struktureleoorsaaklikhedegebruik as maatstawwe vir die transformasieswatdeurglobalisasieveroorsaak is, en wattussen 1990 en 2010 in die land plaasgvind het (Andranovich&Riposa 1993). Daar is in die navorsinggepoog om eerstens die omvang van verwantskappetussen die verspreidingstrukture van die twee ekonomiesesegmente van die stad vas te stel, en tweedens, om die veranderings in inter-sektorieseskakels en die stedelike sake landskapwatdeur die globaale-plaaslikeekonomieseveranderingsbemiddel is, te bestudeer. Twee navorsinghipoteses is geformaliseer, naamlik (1) om te bewys of daarbetekenisvolleruimtelike/struktureleverwantskappebestaantussen die verspreiding van informele en formeleeenhede in die studie- gebied, en (2) om te bevestig of die veranderings in die ruimtelike en struktureleverwantskappetussen die twee besigheidsegmentetoegeskryfkan word aandieselfdestelfisiese, ekonomiese en sosio-kultureleveranderlikes. In die studie is daargebruikgemaak van primêre en sekondêre data watdeurmiddel van gemengdenavorsingmetodesversamel is. Die proporsioneelgestratifiseerdesteekproefmetode is, waarnodig, gebruik. Die primêre data is deurterloopseobservasie, fotografiese- en vraelysopnames, en semi-gestruktureerde persoonlike onderhoudeversamel, terwyl die sekondêre data verkry is uit ’n oorsig van die letterkunde, landkaarte, en die databanke van plaaslikeowerhede en die binnelandsebelastingsdiens. (FIRS). Die data ontledingsproses het data reduksie en hipotesetoetsingingesluit. Dievorigetegniekbestaanuitsektorieseaggregasie (segmentasiedeursamehandeattribuutsektore) en ruimtelikeaggregasie (oorgesitvanafkwantitatiewenaruimtelikedimensies) (Wang & VomHofe 2007). Vir die laasgenoemde was dit nodig om Spatial Statistics Analysis gereedskapstel van die ArGISsagteware en die Principal Component Analysis (PCA) van die SPSS paket te gebruik. The Spatial Statistics Analysis (die Spatial Autocorrelation of Moran se I indeks) en die PCA resultatehet die verwerping van die twee nulhipotesesmoontlikgemaak. Moran se I indeks is 0.16 met ’n Z telling van 159.78 teen ’n betekenisvollevlak van .01 en ’n kritiesewaarde van 2.58, wat ’n hoogsgetrosderuimetlikeassosiasieaantoon, of dat die verspreiding van die informele en formelebesighede in die studiegebiednabymekaargeleë en afhanklik is van mekaar. Gegrond op die eigenwaardes van die 10 gekoseveranderlikes, is daardeur die PCA bepaalwat die drie hoof ruimtelik-strukturelekousaliteite is. Dit is sosio-ekonomiese en kulturelekenmerke, kliente basis en markbeheer, en fisieseomgewing/sake transaksie modus. Die bevindingeverskil van die ontvangdemodel van die Nigeriesehierargie. Om sterkerinformele-formeleskakelswatvolhoubareendogeneontwikkelingwaarborg, te genereer, word die volgendeaanbevelingsgemaak: (i) die invoerplaasvervangings-program moetingestel word, (ii) die Cluster Concept of Industrial Development Strategy (CCIDS) van 2007 moet implementer word; en (iii) stedelikebeplanningstandaardewat pro-informelesektor is, moet aanvaar word.
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Horan, Kevin. "Evaluating the Energy Returns of Investment-Based Incentive Programs: The Case of Oregon's Business Energy Tax Credits." Thesis, University of Oregon, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/11992.
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x, 59 p.Governments around the world provide financial incentives to encourage renewable energy generation and energy conservation. The primary goals of these efforts are to mitigate climate change and improve long-term energy independence by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The consensus in the energy incentive literature is that performance-based incentives, which fund energy output, are more cost efficient than investment-based incentives, which fund capital input. This thesis uses a 30-year case study of Oregon's Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) program to argue that investment-based energy incentives are moderately cost efficient relative to other state performance-based incentives and can be an effective driver of clean energy deployment. However, this analysis also finds that there are significant opportunities to improve the cost efficiency of investment-based energy incentive programs by targeting least cost projects. Namely, 50% of the first year kilowatt-hour electricity returns of the BETC program could have been achieved at 10% of the cost. These lessons from historical BETC spending should guide policymakers, NGO.s, and businesses who aim to make targeted use of fiscally-constrained energy incentive programs.
Committee in charge: Laura Leete, Chair; Ron Mitchell, Member; Grant Jacobsen, Member
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Matope, Jasmine. "Youth discourses of achievement at a school in Cape Town." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/20271.
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Thesis (MEd) -- Stellenbosch University, 2012.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explored the views of thirteen youth at Victoria High School about what they regarded as achievement and how this influenced their lives and what they thought about their futures. The starting premise of the study was that all learners think about achievement. The goal of the study was thus to show how different learners connect this understanding of achievement with their respective aspirations and the kinds of social and schooling worlds they inhabit. The key contribution of the study is the ways it links the social, cultural, and economic worlds of each of the thirteen learners to what they say about what they do and what they want to do, who they are and who they want to be, and what they think they do and what they think they want to do. The study shows that the life-worlds of each of the learners are significantly different yet the ways they go about making sense of that world are fairly similar. In that regard it is shown that the school, and what learners, parents and educators think it is and does, plays a crucial role in the sense-making process. As Berkhout (2008) notes, the different contexts that shape the lives of individuals are not simply external forces but rather are integral parts of their identity-making process. The study used the work of Pierre Bourdieu and Arjun Appadurai to bring together a framework by which to understand what learners said about their worlds and their aspirations, as well to develop a narrative that showed the rich and complex ways in which learners engaged with their realities. The study followed an interpretive qualitative approach to explore the issue of achievement and based its arguments on interviews conducted with thirteen youth between the ages of fifteen and seventeen years old. In this regard, a key finding was that learners approached the notion of achievement in developmental, cumulative, and progressive ways. These views included wanting to be popular, gaining new knowledge, preparing for future material acquisition, developing skills to lead decent lives, acquiring happiness, developing the ability to overcome their challenges and circumstances, and gaining skills and recognition that set up their futures. Five staff members at Victoria High school were also interviewed for their views of the schooling context and the kinds of cultures and legacies that framed their practice.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis is gefokus op die denke van dertien studente van Victoria Hoërskool aangaande die nosie van prestasie, en hoe hierdie denke hul lewens beïnvloed sowel as wat hulle dink van hul toekoms. Die vertrekpunt van die verbande studie was dat alle leerders oor prestasie dink. Die doel van die tesis (daaruitvoortspruitend) was dus om aan te toon hoe verskillende leerders ʼn verband aanlê tussen hul beskouing van prestasie, hul aspirasies en die maatskaplike- en skoolwêrelde wat hul beleef. Die kern bydrae van die tesis is die verbande wat gemaak is in die verbande studie tussen die sosiale, kulturele en ekonomiese wêrelde van elkeen van die dertien leerders ten opsigte van hul beskouing aangaande wat hulle doen en wil doen, wat hulle is en wil wees, en wat hulle dink hulle doen en wil doen. Die tesis toon aan dat die leefwêreld van elk van die leerders merkbaar verskillend is, maar dat die wyse waarop hulle betekenis gee aan hul leefwêreld tog redelik ooreenstem. In hierdie verband is dit getoon dat die skool, en wat leerders, ouers en onderwysers daaromtrent dink, ʼn kardinale rol speel in hul betekenisvormingsproses. Berkhout (2008) voer in hierdie verband aan dat die verskillende kontekste wat die lewens van individue vorm nie slegs eksterne magte is nie, maar eerder integrale dele van hul identiteitsvormings proses is. Die studie maak gebruik van die werk van Pierre Bourdieu en Arjun Appadurai om ʼn raamwerk te ontwikkel om leerders se beskouinge van hul wêrelde en aspirasies te verstaan, sowel as om ‘n narratief te ontwikkel wat die ryk en komplekse wyses waarop leerders met hul realiteite omgaan, aan te toon. Die tesis, en verbande studie, het ʼn interpretatiewe, kwalitatiewe benadering gevolg om die idee van prestasie te verken en het die tesis argumente baser op onderhoude met dertien leerders tussen vyftien tot sewentienjaar oud. ʼn Kernbevinding in hierdie verband was dat leerders die idée van prestasie op ontwikkelings-, kumulatiewe- en progressiewe wyses benader. Beskouinge van leerders in die verband sluit onder andere in, die behoefte om populêr te wees, die verkryging van nuwe kennis, voorbereiding om materiële goedere in die toekoms te bekom, die ontwikkeling van vaardighede noodsaaklik vir ʼn ordentlike lewe, die strewe na geluk, die ontwikkeling van die vermoë om hul uitdagings en omstandighede te oorkom, en die ontwikkeling vaardighede en erkenning noodsaaklik vir hul toekoms. Onderhoude is ook gevoer met vyf personeellede van Victoria hoërskool om hul beskouinge ten opsigte van die skoolkonteks en die soort kulture en erfenisse wat hul praktyk informeer te bepaal.
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Manulak, Michael W. "Continuity and change in international institutions : the case of the United Nations environment regime." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2013. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:a22a9ef4-5d7d-4e85-9078-bd8711d0aeb7.
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Analysts have had a long fascination with moments of significant change and discontinuity in political relations. Studies of “exogenous shocks,” “critical junctures,” “historical events,” “policy windows,” and “punctuated equilibria” have occupied a prominent place in qualitative assessments of policy and institutional change. Yet, despite analysts’ interest, these turning points remain poorly understood. Leading theoretical treatments are overwhelmingly descriptive, offering little in the way of explanatory capacity. Introducing the concept of Temporal Focal Points, my thesis provides a temporal extension to Thomas C. Schelling’s focal point hypothesis. Temporal Focal Points—definite, exceptional phases along the temporal continuum—precipitate a convergence of expectations among actors in time that heightens the likelihood of agreement. Convergent expectations are a crucial means of overcoming temporal coordination problems among actors. By facilitating a spike in analytical activity, political entrepreneurship, and bargaining intensity, actors are able realize joint gains opened up by past shifts in key parameters. Prominent temporal signposts allow actors to recognize that existing institutional arrangements are not an equilibrium. I test the plausibility of this theory through an analysis of the record of change at four distinct phases of the history of the United Nations environment regime from 1962-1992, including the 1972 Stockholm conference, the 1982 Nairobi conference, the UN General Assembly’s response to the Brundtland report, and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
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Beem, Lisa A. "Connecting Urban Residents to Their Watershed with Green Stormwater Infrastructure: A case study of Thornton Creek in Seattle, Washington." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2014. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/339.
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Spead, Benjamin 1978. "Feedback loops in educational environments using web-based survey tools : new technology development and three implementation case studies." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/28608.
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Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (p. 167-171).
This thesis presents lessons from the development of an on-line, web-based feedback system and preliminary analysis of the socio-technical interactions associated with the specification, design and use of this system. The system has been designed to facilitate many forms of feedback in educational environments. Novel technical components of the system include: (1) a highly detailed and flexible data model representing the social-system feedback loops, (2) reusable feedback objects and sub-objects which minimize content entry requirements while improving data aggregation capabilities, and (3) feedback objects which respond dynamically based on the context in which they are used. Novel social system learning associated with this thesis centers on the mechanisms to facilitate feedback in academic and industry learning environments. This thesis features the design, implementation, and preliminary use of the Online Feedback Organization, Requesting and Monitoring for Educators (OnFORME) system. OnFORME was created to enable ubiquitous feedback collection in a semi-transparent manner for educators in both academic and corporate training environments. OnFORME provides a way for educators to quickly author feedback objects (e.g. surveys) and publish them via the World Wide Web so that students can easily respond. The author used agile development methodology to design and implement this application directly from customer use cases in a bottom-up approach. Inductive research methods included observations of thirteen potential adoption trials, of which nine progressed to full usage trials. In depth interviews of potential users, actual users, and experts in this field led to insights on the adoption and use of new IT systems in education.
(cont.) Findings based on usage trials include (1) adoption is more likely when a parallel set of supporting institutional arrangements already exists, as well as specific feedback tools already in use, (2) face-time and hands-on demonstration are required for new system adoption, (3) including feedback as part of a predefined student role improves response rates, and (4) performing a training survey prior to the students' departure from a classroom setting increases the response rate.
by Benjamin Spead.
S.M.
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Close, Bowen. "Niche to Mainstream in Sustainable Urban Food Systems: The Case of Food Distribution in Portland, Oregon." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2006. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/pomona_theses/9.
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To address the negative environmental, political, and social consequences of the dominant, industrialized global food system, communities around the world have developed goals and values underlying a sustainable food system. Conceptualizing food production, distribution, and consumption as systems helps clarify the ways food affects social and natural environments, with the distribution element as the critical juncture where the product reaches the consumer. Urban food systems are a particularly important environment in which to study movements toward sustainability. This paper focuses on the movement for a sustainable food system in Portland, Oregon, with particular focus on the city’s markets for food acquisition – food retail, farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture endeavors, restaurants, food service and distribution companies, institutional purchasing programs, and community gardens, as well as the organizations that support the work of these businesses and programs. Leaders in the field of sustainable food systems are now beginning to operate with a strategy for change that emphasizes incorporating sustainable food products and sustainable food system values into mainstream food markets instead of remaining in niche, alternative markets as has occurred in the past. This notion is supported by economic and social theories including the consumer information model, stakeholder theory, social movement theories of change, and network theories. This paper explores the extent to which Portland food distribution businesses, programs, and organizations attempt to fulfill the goals of a sustainable food system movement with moving from niche to mainstream in mind. The fact that the movement is in fact acting according to new strategies for change emphasizing the mainstream is indicated by the movement’s extensive consumer education and creative use of marketing, strong social and business networks, and organized local policy influences.
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Jerolleman, Alessandra. "The Privatization of Hazard Mitigation: A Case Study of the Creation and Implementation of a Federal Program." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2013. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1692.
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This dissertation explores the role of the private and public sectors in hazard mitigation, an important part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) performance requirements from the Stafford Act. Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce societal impacts from natural disasters by reducing their risk to people, property and infrastructure; before hazards occur. The goal of the work is to contribute to the literature examining the national trend towards privatization and reliance on the free market economy for the provision of government social services, through such public management movements as the “New Public Management” (NPM) of the 1980s and the general efficiency movement that encompasses a greater market orientation in public government and an increase in the use of private sector contractors as an alternative to public provision (Boston 1996).
The primary question which this dissertation seeks to answer is: How has the provision of hazard mitigation services by the private sector come to be the norm and what have been the consequences. Due to the broad nature of the question and the lack of previous research, this dissertation will utilize a mixed methods approach with the goal of gaining a broad understanding of the privatization of the hazard mitigation sector in its various manifestations. The approach consists of one case study, broken down into two time periods: hazard mitigation prior to the passage of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, and hazard mitigation following the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The case study is based primarily upon a series of interviews and includes several imbedded cases. They will be contextualized within an overall description of hazard mitigation focusing on the history and the context of the relevant federal legislation.
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Van, Niekerk Lara. "A framework for regional estuarine management : a South African case study." Thesis, Link to the online version, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/1659.
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Williams, Rachael M. "Do geographical indications promote sustainable rural development? : two UK case studies and implications for New Zealand rural development policy." Lincoln University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10182/585.
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Geographical indications (GIs) are one form of protective labelling used to indicate the origin of food and alcohol products. The role of protected geographical indicators as a promising sustainable rural development tool is the basis for this research. The protection of geographical indications is a rather controversial subject and much research is still required for both sides of the debate. The research method employed for this study is qualitative critical social science. Two Case studies are used to investigate the benefits brought to rural areas through the protection of GIs. The case studies include the GIs Jersey Royal and Welsh Lamb both from the United Kingdom a member of the European Union (the EU is in favour of extended protection of GIs for all agro-food products under the 1994 WTO/TRIPS agreement on geographical indications). Twenty-five indepth interviews were conducted for this study the duration of the interviews was approximately one hour. The study identifies predominantly indirect links between GIs and sustainable rural development, through economic and social benefits bought to rural areas by the GIs investigated - less of a connection was found to ecological elements. No considerable cost for GI protection was discovered. This finding suggests that GIs are worthwhile for implementation in New Zealand as a rural development tool.
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Kelley, Albert J. "A case study: Process and techniques used in land preservation strategies in the Crafton Hills, Yucaipa, California." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1991. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/727.
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Söderberg, Nora. "Climate-Induced Human Mobility in Policy : A Comparative Analysis of Problem Representations in Policy of Two Small-Island Cases." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Statsvetenskapliga institutionen, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-402836.
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This thesis is a descriptive study of problem representations of climate-induced human mobility in policy. Two cases which are severely impacted by climate change have been selected for the analysis: Kiribati and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Policies of these cases are analysed through a qualitative text analysis following the methodological approach “What’s the Problem Represented to Be?”. A particular focus is given to the issue of “planned relocations” as this is a form of human movement that is, per definition, driven by policy. The analysis found negative representations of human mobility to be present in both cases, but also positive representations in the case of Kiribati. Planned relocations were represented as something necessary and difficult by both the cases, but a substantial difference concerned the intended length of such movements. Lastly, this study highlights the need for further research on policy engagement in climate-induced human mobility.
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Mvula-Jamela, Lungiswa Gwen. "Development of a school environmental policy to enable active learning in the context of the National Curriculum Statement." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008376.
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The transformation processes occurring in the South African curriculum context has highlighted a need for improving ways of interpreting and implementing curriculum requirements, in ways that are relevant to the context of learners and their experiences. Outcomes Based Education (OBE) encourages teachers to develop learner centred and active learning approaches. In this research I explore the development of how a School Environmental Policy can contribute to active learning in the context of the National Curriculum Statement for Grades R-9 (NCS R-9). I employed a participatory action research approach in which I worked with other teachers in my school to develop a School Environmental Policy, and then implement associated lessons. In cycle 1 this research focused on the School Environmental Policy development processes. In cycle 2 the research focused on designing and implementing three Lesson Plans in Makana Public Primary School (in three phases). I used a range of data generation strategies such as observations, use of a reflective journal, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, a workshop, photographs and document analysis to generate data for the study. All participants collaboratively discussed and agreed upon the research , and the two teachers who developed the lessons with me also reflected on the process of Lesson Planning and active learning, but I was responsible for the final interpretation presented in this thesis. The research indicates that the School Environmental Policy led to the planning of active learning processes and that the School Environmental Policy and the active learn ing approach are consistent with OBE policy and philosophy. The study also indicates that the School Environmental Policy and the active learning approach strengthened the use of Learning Outcomes, but not necessarily Assessment Standards and that the active learning approach promoted enquiry in lessons. The research further indicates that the School Environmental Policy and active learning processes contributed to school improvement and work towards a healthy environment. The School Environmental Policy also encouraged educators to address school community environmental issues and build stronger links with parents. The study also led to a set of recommendations to improve the School Environmental Policy and active learning process in ways that address the NCS requirements for learning and assessment.
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Massey, Ruth Thokozile. "Informal settlement upgrading and the effect of governmentality on women's social networks : a case study of New Rest and Makhaza, Cape Town." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/85799.
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Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is estimated that 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s urban population resides in informal settlements. Cape Town (South Africa), in particular, has a projected 223 informal settlements within its boundaries (which house almost 136 000 households). The national government has attempted to meet housing needs through the upgrading of informal settlements. In situ upgrading has been seen as a particularly popular route to follow. This study aimed to investigate the City of Cape Town’s governmentality in the in situ upgrading of Makhaza and New Rest in Cape Town and explore the implications of this governmentality for women’s social networks in these two settlements. The study focused on the governmentality elements of rationalities, practices and techniques and counter-conduct. A review of the literature shows little attention has been paid to the various governmentalities (practice, techniques and rationalities) that exist within informal settlement upgrading. The literature has also not paid much attention to how the governmentality of those undertaking informal settlement upgrading, relates to women’s social networks (and their governmentality) within upgraded sites. The research made use of qualitatively-driven methodologies and approaches, employing the techniques of Neighbourhood Social Mapping, Social Network Assessment (SNA), semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, transect walks, observational studies and secondary data gathering. The study found, amongst other things, that the governmentality (rationalities, techniques and practices) used by the City to plan and implement the upgrading of informal settlements differs from that of the women’s social networks. The profound differences in governmentalities have meant that the settlements do not meet the needs of the women and their social networks. In response the women have redesigned their new settlement to meet the needs of their social networks. Integral Theory is used in this thesis to map and better understand the differing governmentalities and their relationship and was used to propose an Integral approach in managing differing governmentalities. The thesis suggests that, in order to understand fully and respond appropriately to the challenges faced in upgrading, those in power need to be aware of and include all perspectives and actors within their upgrading process and practice.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar word beraam dat 70% van sub-Sahara Afrika se stedelike populasie in informele nedersettings woon. Kaapstad (Suid-Afrika), spesifiek, het ‘n beraamde 223 informele nedersettings binne die grense (wat omtrent 136 000 huishoudings huisves). Die nasionale regering het onderneem om behuisings behoefte te voorsien deur die opgradering van informele nedersettings. In situ opgradering is gesien as ‘n besonder gewilde roete om te volg. Hierdie studie het gepoog om die City of Cape Town (die Stad) se governmentality te ondersoek in die opgradering van Makhaza en New Rest in Kaapstad. So ook om die implikasies van hierdie governmentality vir vroue se sosiale netwerke in hierdie nedersettings te verken. Die studie het gefokus op die governmentality (regeringsmentaliteit) beginsels van rationaliteite, praktyke en tegnieke en teen-optrede. ‘n Oorsig van die literatuur toon min aandag is geskenk aan die verskillende governmentalities wat binne opgraderingsprojekte vir informele nedersettings bestaan. Die literatuur het ook nie veel aandag gegee aan hoe die governmentality van die onderneming van die informele nedersettings met betrekking tot vroue se sosiale netwerke (en hul governmentality) binne opgradeerde terreine. Die navorsing het gebruik gemaak van kwaliteits gedrewe metodologie en benaderings, die gebruik van tegnieke van omgewing sosiale kartering, sosiale netwerk beraming, semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude, vraelyste, deursnee wandeling, waarnemings studies en sekondêre data insameling. Die studie het onder andere bevind dat die governmentality (rationaliteite, tegnieke en praktyke), soos gebruik deur die Stad om opgradering van informele nedersettings te beplan en implimenteer, verskil van die van die vroue se sosiale netwerke. Die diepgaande verskille in governmentalities het gelei daartoe dat die nedersettings nie voldoen aan die behoeftes van die vroue en hul sosiale netwerke nie. In reaksie daarop het die vroue die nuwe nedersetting herontwerp om in hul sosiale netwerk behoeftes te voorsien. Integrale Teorie is in hierdie tesis gebruik om die verskille in governmentalities en hul verwantskappe uiteen te sit en beter te kan verstaan en ook om die Integrale benadering in die hantering van verskillende governmetnalities voor te stel. Die tesis dui daarop dat in orde om ten volle te verstaan en toepaslik te reageer op die uitdagings wat gepaard gaan met opgradering moet die wat in beheer is van alle perspektiewe en akteurs binne die opgraderings proses bewus wees en dit in ag neem.
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Songqwaru, Nonyameko Zintle. "Supporting environment and sustainability knowledge in the grade 10 life sciences curriculum and assessment policy context : a case study of the Fundisa for Change teacher education and development programme pilot project." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006842.
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In the context of yet another curriculum revision in South Africa, this study investigates how teachers can be supported to meet the environmental discourse requirements as outlined in the revised curriculum in the Life Sciences. The study takes place in the context of a National Case Study which has resulted in a development of a national network, curriculum framework and resources for teacher education, with specific focus on the integration of environment and sustainability in the South African teacher education system. The study intends to provide insights into what constitutes adequate professional support and assistance to teachers that enables them to understand and work with the environment and sustainability content knowledge requirements of the Life Sciences Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). The study seeks to inform future curriculum implementation decisions and teacher education programmes. The study is designed as a qualitative case study inquiry that has used open-ended, individual and focus group interviews, direct field observation and document analysis to generate data. The study revealed that: * Teachers developed confidence from an in-depth analysis of the CAPS curriculum. * Teachers have content gaps in environment and sustainability knowledge and these can be addressed through professional development that emphasises rich subject knowledge. * Teachers are not familiar with teaching methods that can be used to teach environmental and sustainability content knowledge. * Teachers struggle to see the relationship between teaching and assessing. * Teachers do not have enough and adequate resources for teaching and learning. * Training given to teachers should be interactive to enable them to recontextualise training received in their work places. * Teacher training should go beyond content knowledge that teachers have to teach, but should also consider how teachers can teach and assess that knowledge. * It is important to have a strong framing for selection and sequencing of content knowledge and a relatively weak framing for pacing and hierarchical rules in teacher training workshops. * Professional development has the potential to lead to whole school development. The study recommends that: ** Recontextualisation should be grounded on interpreting the policy requirements ** Teacher pre- and in-service training should focus on developing teachers’ understanding of the foundational knowledge in the Life Sciences ** The links between Life Sciences pedagogy and environmental pedagogy should be made explicit. ** Good quality resources should be provided for teachers and they should be supported to use these appropriately. ** Teachers’ academic literacy needs to be developed. Further recommendations: * Further studies should be conducted that would look at how teachers can be supported to work with environment and sustainability content knowledge within other subjects or other content areas of Life Sciences. This could provide some insights in terms of looking at the patterns, similarities or differences between different cases. It would be valuable to trace the teachers who participated in this pilot to observe how they recontextualise the training in their classroom practices. There is no point in attending a course or training if it will not impact one’s practice. Some insights into classroom practices were gained through reflective interviews from the teachers who had taught the biodiversity content, but this was not observed in practice.
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Gordon, Miles P. "Climate Planning with Multiple Knowledge Systems: The Case of Tribal Adaptation Plans." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou152475789156055.
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Jenkins, Kirsten. "Discourses of energy justice : the case of nuclear energy." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/10255.
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The energy sector faces sustainability challenges that are re-working the established patterns of energy supply, distribution and consumption (Anderson et al. 2008; Haas et al. 2008; Stern 2008; Shove and Walker 2010). Amidst these challenges, socio-technical energy transitions frameworks have evolved that focus on transitions towards decarbonised, sustainable energy systems (Bridge et al. 2013). However, the ‘socio-‘ or social is typically missing as we confront climate and energy risks in a moral vacuum (Sovacool et al. 2016). The energy justice framework provides a structure to think about such energy dilemmas. However, the full extent and diversity of justice implications within the energy system have been neglected. Thus, borrowing from and advancing the framework this research explores how energy justice is being articulated with attention to three emergent areas of growth, the themes of: (1) time, (2) systems component and (3) actor. It does so through a case study of nuclear energy, which was chosen because of its points of enquiry with regards to these three areas of growth, and its historical and on-going importance in the UK energy mix. Using results from 36 semi-structured interviews with non-governmental organisations and policy actors across two case studies representative of the nuclear energy stages of energy production and of waste storage, disposal and reprocessing – the Hinkley Point and Sellafield nuclear complexes – this research presents new insights within each of these previously identified areas of development. It offers the contributions of (1) facility lifecycles, (2) systems approaches and (3) the question of ‘justice by whom?' and concludes that the energy justice framework can aid energy decision-making in a way that not only mitigates the environmental impacts of energy via socio-technical change, but also does so in an ethically defensible, socially just, way.
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López, Romero Ana-María. "Alignment of mitigation pledges with government expenditure in Latin America : A case study of Chile, Colombia and Peru in the COVID-19 context." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Tema Miljöförändring, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-178318.
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The implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) in 2020 has coincided with the outbreak of COVID-19. Recovery paths taken to deal with the economic consequences of the pandemic can be either an opportunity to foster a sustainable growth or a return to business-as-usual model. Assuming that national budgets define the economic strategy of governments, this thesis addresses the relationship between mitigation pledges outlined in NDCs and mitigation-related expenditure in Chile, Peru and Colombia pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A deductive thematic analysis of NDCs is used to identify the prioritized mitigation sectors and to allow for a refined focus in the analysis of the relevant mitigation-related expenses for each case country. Budgets of 2020 and 2021 are compared and discussed in the light of previous research. Results show different levels of climate ambition but common prioritised sectors (energy, land-use, and industry). Regarding Peru, the budgets indicate a higher mitigation ambition than their NDC by including expenditure in areas that are not mentioned in the NDC. Contrary, Colombia and Chile have detailed NDCs that cover more aspects than indicated through their government expenditure. Generally, energy and industry expenditure misalign with the NDC pledges, due to the increase of expenses on national fossil fuels resources in 2021. Land-use mitigation expenditure, linked to forestry and agriculture, have increased in Chile and Peru but are hardly represented in Colombia. Thus, the thesis outlines early misalignments of mitigation targets with government expenditure and differences in accountability and transparency that could challenge the monitoring of progress towards the achievement of the pledges.
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Krupa, Kimberly A. "Coastal Fortresses: A Cross-Case Analysis of Water, Policy, and Tourism Development in Three Gulf Coast Communities." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2019. https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2617.
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As a result of development pressures and water resource struggles, once rural, spatially segregated coastal commercial fishing villages along the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico are increasingly tourist frontiers for elites and the emergent businesses that cater to them. Over the course of the twentieth century, water events, from coastal land loss to hurricane destruction to natural disaster, have fast-tracked development projects that have allowed for the expansion of the tourism sector, and relaxed policies to encourage bold new economic development initiatives that often put poor coastal communities and their environment in jeopardy. This outcome is not universal across the northern Gulf Coast, but contingent on a number of local factors overlooked in the literature on coastal tourism and water policy development. This paper investigates the local nuances that have emerged as responses to global and regional development pressures by focusing on the ways in which local values and policy decisions have influenced the spread of coastal urbanization. An intensive analysis will examine the layered effects of changing land-use patterns and tourism growth pressures on three at-risk coastal communities in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida, in the United States. This paper will test the hypothesis that coastal communities affected by a similar set of development pressures respond to these forces in different ways, depending on complex local and regional variabilities. The paper’s focus is centered on Northern Gulf Coast tourism growth patterns from post-World War II through 2018, and employs a mixed method, multiple-sited case-study design.
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Lasley, Carrie E. "Catastrophes and the Role of Social Networks in Recovery: A Case Study of St. Bernard Parish, LA, Residents After Hurricane Katrina." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2012. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1504.
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The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the experiences of St. Bernard Parish, La., residents as they coped with the impact of the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005. An estimated 50,000 St. Bernard Parish residents relocated to a new home one year after Katina in 2006, and many of those residents moved again. This study examines the effects of the decisions of St. Bernard residents to relocate or to return on their social connections. The utility, adaptability and durability of social networks of these residents will be explored to enrich our knowledge about the social effects of recovery and the role that distance plays in the way residents connect to each other six years after Hurricane Katrina. It also examines the applicability of disaster theory as it relates to this case and develops a methodology for examining the impact of geographic dispersal on social networks.
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Fung, Kin-lin, and 馮建蓮. "A review of the effectiveness of the Government LPG Taxi Scheme as a fuel switch program for cleaner air: itsimplication for public acceptance and for future policies." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1999. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31254196.
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