Os sedimentos são um importante compartimento utilizado como ferramenta para a avaliação da qualidade dos ecossistemas aquáticos, por indicar a presença de contaminantes liberados continuamente para o meio ambiente em decorrência das atividades humanas. Dentre as substâncias químicas lançadas nas águas superficiais, estão os metais que, em quantidades indesejáveis, podem ser tóxicos para a biota. Em virtude da importância dos sedimentos e da carência de dados de qualidade das águas do sistema hidrográfico Tocantins-Araguaia, o presente estudo realizou uma avaliação dos metais ambientalmente disponíveis em amostras de sedimento provenientes de pontos de captação de água para abastecimento público de Palmas, em Tocantins, Brasil. Foram analisadas as concentrações de As, Cd, Pb e Se por Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica com Atomização Eletrotérmica em Forno de Grafite (GFAAS), de Ag, Al, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Sb, Sc, Si, Ti, V e Zn por Espectrometria de Emissão Óptica com Plasma Indutivamente Acoplado (ICP-OES) e de Hg por Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica com Geração de Vapor Frio (CVAAS). Foram realizados dois processos de solubilização parcial de sedimentos para um estudo comparativo, um com HCl 0,1 M e agitação em temperatura ambiente, considerado um método mais brando para extração dos metais de origem antropogênica, e outro com HNO3 8 M e aquecimento em forno de microondas, considerado uma alternativa para os métodos mais complexos de digestão total, visto que fornece uma boa estimativa da concentração total dos elementos. A avaliação da qualidade dos sedimentos foi realizada pela comparação dos valores de concentração dos elementos As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb e Zn com os valores orientadores (TEL e PEL) adotados pelo Canadian Council of Minister of the Environment (CCME), para assim contribuir com a qualidade ambiental das águas do sistema hidrográfico Tocantins-Araguaia. / The sediments are an important compartment used as a tool for assessment of aquatic ecosystems quality, for indicating the presence of contaminants released continuously into the environment as a result of human activities. Among chemical substances discharged to surface water, there are metals that in undesirable amounts, can be toxic to biota. Due to the importance of sediment and of shortage of data of water quality of the Araguaia-Tocantins river system, the present study conducted an assessment of environmentally available metals in sediment samples from water for public supply of the city of Palmas, in Tocantins, Brazil. The concentrations of As, Cd, Pb and Se were analyzed by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS), Ag, Al, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Sb, Sc, Si, Ti, V and Zn were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Hg by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CVAAS). Two partial solubilization processes were performed for a comparative study, one with HCl 0,1 M and agitation at room temperature, considered a milder method for metal extraction from anthropogenic origin, and another with HNO3 8 M and microwave heating, considered as an alternative to more complex methods of total digestion, since it provides a good evaluation of the total concentration of the elements. The sediment quality evaluation was realized by comparing the concentration values of the elements As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn with the quality guidelines (TEL and PEL) adopted by Canadian Council of Minister of the Environment (CCME), to thereby contribute to the environmental quality of the water of the Araguaia-Tocantins river system.

A água é um recurso essencial à vida, logo deve estar presente em quantidade e qualidade adequada para seu consumo. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade ambiental da represa Guarapiranga, Localizado em partes dos municípios de Cotia, Embu, Itapecerica da Serra, Juquitiba, São Lourenço da Serra e São Paulo e na área total do município de Embu Guaçu, este sistema tem significativa degradação em sua qualidade de água devido ao aporte de efluente doméstico e industrial aumentando o custo do tratamento e dificultando o acesso a água potável. Foram apresentados os resultados de 26 metais, 7 ânions, parâmetros limnológicos: pH, condutividade, temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, transparência da água, obtidos a partir das amostras das coletas realizadas entre os anos de 2011 a 2013, em amostras de água na superfície, meio e fundo em 14 pontos e de sedimento de fundo nestes mesmos pontos sendo avaliando 26 metais. Os resultados de sedimento foram comparados com os valores de TEL e PEL e os resultados de água foram com os limites de estabelecidos pela resolução COMANA 357/2005. Os parâmetros limnológicos, condutividade, pH e oxigênio dissolvido ficaram fora do enquadramento da resolução do COMANA 357/05. Todas as espécies iônicas atenderam ao estabelecido pelo CONAMA 357/05, no entanto é observado um aumento das concentrações no decorrer das coletas. A serie nitrogenada assim com a relação Fe:P mostraram ser importantes parâmetros de controle do aporte da carga orgânica no reservatório. Dos 26 elementos analisados somente Al, Cu, Mn apresentaram concentrações fora do estabelecido pela resolução COMANA 357/05. Os sedimentos analisados os elementos químicos Cu, Cr, Zn apresentaram valores acima do TEL e do PEL. A partir dos resultados obtidos infere-se que o reservatório do Guarapiranga apresenta dois compartimentos distintos, um mais degradado que vai do ponto 05 a 14 que sofre os impactos da ocupação do seu entorno e um mais preservado que vai do ponto 01 a 05, sem tanta influência de ocupação urbana no seu entorno. / Water is an essential life resource, and that it must be present in adequate quantity and quality for consumption. This study is aimed to evaluate the environmental quality of Guarapiranga reservoir, classified as Class 1. This is located in parts of the municipalities of Cotia, Embu, Itapecerica da Serra, Juquitiba, São Lourenço da Serra and São Paulo and in the Embu Guaçus total area. This reservoir has significant degradation in the quality of water due to domestic and industrial wastewater contribution, as it effects the cost of treatment and makes it difficult to access drinking water. These papers presents the results of 26 metals, 7 anions, limnology parameters: pH, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, water clarity, obtained from samples collections between the years 2011-2013, These are water samples on the surface, middle and bottom on 14 points and bottom sediment in these same points being evaluated 26 metals. The sediment results were compared with TEL and PEL values, water results were compared with the established limits by the resolution of COMANA 357/2005. Limnological parameters, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen were outside the framework of COMANAs resolution 357/05. All Ionic species responded to established by CONAMA 3357/05, however it is noted an increase in concentrations between samples collected. Nitrogen series as well as Fe:P ratio showed important contribution of control parameters of the organic load in reservoir. Of the 26 elements analyzed only Al, Cu, Mn concentrations was observed outside of the COMANAs resolution 357/05. In the sediments analyzed, the chemical elements Cu, Cr, Zn showed values above the TEL and PEL. From the results obtained infers that the Guarapiranga reservoir has two compartments distinct; a more degraded that will from point 05-14 suffering from the occupation of the impacts around them, and another compartment more preserved that will from point 01-05 without much influence of urban occupation around them.

O objeto da pesquisa é a requalificação de edifícios altos residenciais acima de 15 pavimentos, situados no centro da cidade de São Paulo e construídos entre 1930 e 1964, sendo a maioria de um cômodo, conhecidos como kitchenettes, com ênfase nas possibilidades de renovação arquitetônica e requalificação tecnológica para sua reocupação, visando as questões de desempenho ambiental. No momento atual das cidades modernas, um número significativo de edifícios de médio e grande porte, encontrados em diferentes partes do mundo, inevitavelmente necessitam e recorrem a projetos de requalificação arquitetônica e tecnológica. É verificado que o centro da cidade de São Paulo possui um estoque edificado obsoleto e uma grande potencialidade para receber novas edificações, além de requalificar as existentes. Com isso, o objetivo principal desta pesquisa é qualificar o edifício existente provendo conforto ergonômico, térmico, luminoso e acústico, mediante padrões e critérios pré-estabelecidos de desempenho ambiental. Como resultado é verificado que existem possibilidades de intervenção que permite ao edifício alcançar melhor desempenho ambiental, com um redesenho das unidades a fim de criar apartamentos de um e dois dormitórios, melhorando o aproveitamento da ventilação e iluminação natural e inserindo barreiras contra o ruído urbano nas fachadas. / The object of this research is the refurbishment of tall buildings over 15 floors, situated in the center of city of São Paulo and built between 1930 and 1964, most of them with just one bedroom, known as kitchenetts, with emphasis on opportunities of architectural upgraded and technological refurbishment for them reoccupation, targeting the issues of environmental performance. In the actual moment of modern cities, a significant number of medium and big buildings, found in different parts of the world, inevitably need and require projects of architectural and technological refurbishment. It is verified that São Paulo downtown has a built obsolete inventory and it is prone to receive new buildings, besides the refurbishment of existing ones. Thus, the main aim of this research is to refurbish the actual building, providing it with ergonomic, thermal, light and sound comfort through standards and pre-determined criteria of environmental performance. As a result it is found that there are intervention possibilities that allows the building reach a better environmental performance, with a new units drawing with the aim of create apartments of one or two bedrooms, improving the use of natural ventilation and lighting and putting barriers against urban noises in the buildings front.

A circulação no trânsito das cidades faz parte da rotina das pessoas, que podem despender tempos consideráveis dentro de automóveis durante seus deslocamentos. Fatores como a emissão de gases provinda do tráfego e a má circulação de ar podem afetar a qualidade ambiental no interior dos veículos e torná-lo prejudicial à saúde de seus ocupantes. Sendo assim, durante vinte dias aleatórios, entre agosto e dezembro de 2013, monitorou-se o ambiente interno de um dos ônibus pertencentes ao sistema de transporte coletivo da cidade de São Carlos. Foram medidos temperatura, umidade relativa do ar, ruído, monóxido e dióxido de carbono, compostos orgânicos voláteis totais (COVT) e material particulado. Os dados encontrados foram analisados baseando-se em distintas normas e padrões. Observou-se também a influência dos parâmetros avaliados na saúde das pessoas, de acordo com a literatura. Dentre as referências consultadas, consideraram-se os valores limites recomendados pelo Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego (normas NR-15, NR-17 e NHO 01), pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Resolução 09/03), pelo Conselho Nacional de Meio Ambiente (Resolução 03/90) e pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. A partir dos dados de temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, calculou-se o índice de calor (Heat Index) utilizado pela National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dos EUA, para averiguação do conforto térmico. Os resultados mostraram que os níveis de temperatura, umidade relativa, índice de calor e material particulado estiveram, em sua maioria, acima dos valores referenciais. O ruído também constitui um fator preocupante, apesar de os valores encontrados estarem abaixo do limite máximo de 85 dB(A), pois, pesquisas recentes indicam que níveis acima de 60 dB(A) tendem trazer complicações à saúde (Willich et al., 2006). Ao observar as concentrações dos óxidos de carbono, notou-se a interferência da poluição provinda do meio externo. Por fim, conclui-se que a qualidade ambiental interna do ônibus pode ser prejudicial principalmente aos cobradores e motoristas, que trabalham neste ambiente por muitas horas diárias. / The movement of traffic in cities is part of the people\'s routine that can spend considerable time inside automobiles during their displacement. Factors such as greenhouse gas emissions from traffic and poor air circulation can affect the environmental quality inside vehicles and make it harmful to the health of its occupants. Thus, for twenty random days between August and December 2013, air quality inside one of the buses belonging to the public transportation system of the city of São Carlos was monitored. Temperature, relative humidity, noise, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and particulate matter were measured. Data were analyzed based on limiting values recommended by different institutions and observing the influence of the parameters measured in people\'s health, according to the literature. Were taken as reference standards established by the Ministry of Labor and Employment (standards NR-15, NR-17 and NHO 01), the National Health Surveillance Agency (Resolution 09/03), the National Environmental Council (Resolution 03 / 90) and the World Health Organization. Aiming to verify the thermal sensation, we calculated the Heat Index used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the USA. The results show that levels of temperature, relative humidity, heat index and particulate matter are mostly above the reference values. Noise is also a worrying factor, despite being within the ceiling of 85 dB (A), because, according to recent surveys, over 60 dB (A) there is potential damage to health (Willich et al., 2006). By observing the concentrations of oxides of carbon, it was noted interference stemmed from the pollution of the external environment. Finally, it is concluded that the air quality inside the bus can be harmful especially to collectors and drivers, working in this environment for many hours a day.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-06-13T19:55:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 EdenildeSantos.pdf: 1172388 bytes, checksum: debe3d60bed247df12d37d1601adb131 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-13T19:55:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EdenildeSantos.pdf: 1172388 bytes, checksum: debe3d60bed247df12d37d1601adb131 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-11-11 / The present scientific study discussed how to dispose batteries, cell phone and automotive batteries by managers of commercial establishments, as well as the perception of the consumer population of batteries and cell phone batteries in São Luís, Maranhão. We conducted an exploratory study with a quantitative approach. The research was carried out in retailing goods stores in general and mobile telephony establishments and at the exit of the shops when referred to the consumer population. To collect data, we used a form with questions regarding demographics, socioeconomic factors, and level of knowledge about the disposal of batteries, cell phone batteries and automotive that applied to managers and consumer population. Data collection occurred from February to August 2012. The project was submitted to the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal do Maranhão, obtaining assent under the protocol number 23115-017233/2011-11. The results showed that a large proportion of managers unknow the composition of the batteries that comercialize, as well as legislation and environmental problems and public health that such waste may cause to the environment and human health; managers never received training or course on disposal of batteries or inspection by the competent bodies, Establishments traded automotive batteries only had selective collection service for financial issue and referred these products at end of life for sorting units, while those who traded ordinary batteries and cell phone batteries mostly lacked collection service, claiming as reasons for not collecting missing information, monitoring, environmental education and for being an unnecessary service and the ones who had collected, gave final destination inappropriate as household waste .The majority of consumers interviewed used daily batteries and cell phones, unaware of the existence of collection points, as well as the composition of batteries, legislation and environmental issues and public health that such waste may cause to the environment and human health. Consumers interviewed mostly discarded improperly batteries and cell phones at the end of life. / O presente estudo científico discutiu a forma de descarte de pilhas, baterias de celulares e automotivas pelos gerentes dos estabelecimentos comerciais, bem como a percepção da população consumidora de pilhas e baterias de celulares em São Luís-Maranhão. Realizou-se de um estudo exploratório descritivo com abordagem quantitativa. A pesquisa realizou-se nos estabelecimentos de comércio varejista de mercadorias em geral e em estabelecimentos de telefonia móvel celular e na saída dos estabelecimentos comerciais quando se referiu à população consumidora. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se um formulário com perguntas referentes aos dados demográficos, aspectos socioeconômicos e de nível de conhecimento a respeito do descarte de pilhas, baterias de celulares e automotivas que aplicado aos gerentes e a população consumidora. A coleta de dados ocorreu de fevereiro a agosto de 2012. O projeto foi submetido ao Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Maranhão, obtendo parecer favorável sob o número de protocolo 23115-017233/2011-11. Os resultados demonstraram que uma grande parte dos gerentes desconhece a composição das pilhas e baterias que comercializam, assim como a legislação e os problemas ambientais e de saúde publica que esses resíduos podem causar ao meio ambiente e a saúde humana; Os gerentes nunca receberam treinamento ou curso sobre o descarte de pilhas e baterias nem fiscalização por parte dos órgãos competentes. Os estabelecimentos que comercializavam apenas baterias automotivas possuíam serviço de coleta seletiva por questão financeira e encaminhavam esses produtos no final da vida útil para unidades de triagem, enquanto os que comercializavam pilhas comuns e baterias de celulares em sua grande maioria não possuíam serviço de coleta, alegando como motivos da não coleta falta de informações, fiscalização, educação ambiental e por ser um serviço desnecessário e os que possuíam coleta, davam destino final inadequado como o lixo doméstico. A maioria dos consumidores entrevistados utilizava diariamente pilhas e baterias de celulares, desconheciam a existência de pontos de coleta, assim como composição das pilhas e baterias, a legislação e os problemas ambientais e de saúde publica que esses resíduos podem causar ao meio ambiente e a saúde humana. Os consumidores entrevistados em sua maioria descartam de forma inadequada pilhas e baterias de celulares no final da vida útil.

Orientador: Paulo César Lodi / Banca: Ilza Machado Kaiser / Banca: Cassio Luís Fernandes de Oliveira / Resumo: O reservatório da usina de Promissão (SP) está localizado entre as barragens de Promissão e Ibitinga que, por sua vez, situam-se no rio Tietê vindo a compor a bacia hidrográfica Tietê-Batalha. Esta bacia recebe água de pequenos e médios afluentes que cortam várias cidades de porte diversificado, com e sem tratamento e efluentes domésticos e industriais. Além disso, banha uma extensa área com atividade pecuária e agrícola com usinas sucro energéticas e frigoríficos. Com esta bacia recebe afluentes de diversas áreas, está sujeito à contaminação de diversas fontes. Uma dessas fontes que gera preocupação à população e ao poder público é a que está relacionada com os sedimentos por metais tóxicos e potencialmente tóxicos. Dentro desse contexto, este trabalho verificou a qualidade da água e dos sedimentos no rio Tietê entre as barragens Promissão e Ibitinga. Os pontos de retirada de material para análise no reservatório foram localizados próximos às margens e a jusante dos afluentes selecionados, próximos à barragem de Promissão, resultando em sete pontos de amostragem. A primeira coleta ocorreu no mês de setembro e a segunda em dezembro de 2013. Analisaram-se doze metais na água e no sedimento bem como dez parâmetros físico-químicos na água. A técnica utilizada para análise de metais foi a espectrofotometria de absorção atômica. Resultados das análises de sedimento mostraram, que em todas as amostragens notou-se a presença sistemática dos elementos Fe, Al, Mg e Cr, com maiores concentrações nos pontos referentes ao córrego Barra Mansa e ao rio Dourado. Este último apresentou-se como área vulnerável e a contaminação devido às concetrações obtidas em todos os elementos analisados. Os resultados de metais nos sedimentos foram comparados com as concentrações encontradas nos estudos realizados por Braz (2006), o qual fez análises em dois períodos, fevereiro e julho de 2000, e com o... / Abstract: The reservoir of Promissão (SP) is located between the Promissão and Ibitinga dams which, in turn, are located in the Tietê river thus makin the Tietê - Batalha watershed. This watershed receives small and medium tributaries that pass through several cities of diverse size, with and without treatment of domestic and industrial sewage water. In addition, an extensive bathing area with farming agriculture, alcohol plants, and frigorific. As this wathershed receives tributaries from different areas, is subject to contamination from various sources. One such source that creates concern for the people and the government is related to the sediments by toxic and potentially toxic metals. In this sense, this study analyzed the quality of water and sediment in the Tietê River between Promissão and Ibitinga dams. The collections points of material for analysis were located near the stores and downstream of selected tributaries, closely to dam Promissão, resulting in seven sampling. The first collection occurred in September and the second in December 2013. Twelve metals in water and sediment were anlyzed as well like ten physico-chemical parameters in water. The technique used for metal analysis was by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results of analyzes of sediment showed, for instance, that in all samplings noted the systematic presence of Fe, Al, Mg and Cr, with higher concentrations in the points related to stream Barra Mansa and Rio Dourado. The latter appeared as a critical area of contamination due to concentrations from all elements analyzed. The results of metals in sediments were compared with the concentrations found in studies conducted by Braz (2006), which analyzes made in two periods, February and July 2000, conducted by Mortatti (2010) in Barra Bonita reservoir, which held sediment samples from March to June 2004. The use of pesticides is a factor that potentially has an effect on the accumulation of heavy metals in... / Mestre

Movement, distribution, and habitat use of juvenile bull sharks were examined in two studies using manual and passive acoustic telemetry. Research was conducted in the Caloosahatchee River, which serves as nursery habitat for this species, and is highly impacted due to anthropogenic alterations in water quality and quantity via dams and locks. Manual tracking yielded fine-scale results for eight individuals on home range size, rate of movement, swimming depth, linearity, direction of travel, tidal influence, diel pattern, as well as correlation with environmental variables. Changes in salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and pH played a role on the distribution of bull sharks. Passive monitoring of twelve individuals allowed for examination of trends in residency, home range, depth, and distribution in response to water quality alterations. Both studies documented a shift in the distribution of animals in response to significant modifications in salinity and flow levels. Sharks were distributed throughout the river at low flow rates, but were located only near the river mouth, or exited the river at discharges rates above 75 m³s-1. Current water management policies are examined and recommendations are made which include the physiological preferences of this top-level predator.

Idag planerar och exploaterar vi allt mer i städer och samhällen. Vi har behov av bostäder eftersom Sveriges befolkning ökar och kommunens planering sker därför därefter. Men vi har också ett behov av grönytor, ur flera hälsoperspektiv behövs natur och grönska för vårt välmående. Både grönytor och bostäder är ett allmänt intresse som behöver tillgodoses vid planering och utveckling av områden, men hur planerar man för dessa viktiga intressen och behov? Syftet med denna uppsats är att analysera turistkommuners planering av bostäder och grönytor och jämföra två turiststarka kommuners planering av dessa. Kommunerna som jämfördes var kustkommunen Tanum och fjällkommunen Malung-Sälen. För att svara på uppsatsens frågeställningar genomfördes granskning av översiktsplaner, detaljplaner samt offentliga tryck som är relevanta i ämnet. Utöver det genomfördes semistrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer med planchef eller motsvarande i respektive kommun för att samla så mycket kunskap som möjligt. I arbetet spelar också miljökvalitetsmålen en betydande roll då målet god bebyggd miljö har motsvarande fundament som de som undersöks i uppsatsen. I slutsatsen kan man se att de turiststarka kommuner som granskats inte har samma problem i planeringen. De har båda olika förutsättningar vilket kan bidra till det skiftande resultatet. Då båda kommuner redan har stora grönområden utanför planeringsytorna anses inte frågan om att grönytor försvinner i tätorterna som ett problem. Att bostäder blir fritidshus istället för permanenta är ett problem som är närmast obefintligt i Malung-Sälen till skillnad från Tanum. Miljökvalitetsmålet bearbetas inte heller medvetet i planerna på den lokala nivå som behövs för att bromsa upp dagens förlust av biologisk mångfald, dock finns metoder i planeringen som är till miljöns fördel men som inte benämns som just miljökvalitetsmål. Om kommunernas olikheter beror på de olika förutsättningarna och kommunernas uppbyggnad eller om turistkommuner generellt har olika planeringsmetoder kan inte med säkerhet avgöras utifrån endast två kommuner. Men fastställas kan att förevarandes planeringsmetoder skiljer sig åt. / Today we are planning and developing a lot in cities and villages. Due to Sweden's increasing population our needs for housings is increasing and the counties planning befall thereafter. But we do have a need of green areas as well, both seen to health in several perspectives but also for our well-wellbeing. Both green areas and housings are common interest that needs to accommodate in every planning, but how do you plan for those? The purpose for this thesis is to analyse and compare two counties with a lot of tourists in their planning of green areas and housings. The comparing counties are west coastal Tanum and the mountain filled Malung-Sälen. To answer the questions in the thesis the counties overview plans, detailed plans and public prints that was relevant to the subject was studied. Also interviews in a semi structured qualitative method was held with the plan managers in both counties. These was held to gather knowledge and understanding. In the thesis the environmental quality goals is also up-to-date specially the goal good built environment since it has similar grounds as the thesis has focused on. The conclusion is that the counties that has been reviewed have different issues in planning. They both have different prerequisites which could contribute to the varied results. Since both counties already have bigger green areas outside the planning side, they do not believe that the question regarding green spaces disappearing in the conurbation is a problem. The fact that housings is utilized as secondary residences instead of permanent is nearby nonexistent in Malung-Sälen while it is a challenge in Tanum. The environmental quality goal is not intentional processed on local level which is necessary in order to slow the loss of biodiversity that we have today, however they have both methods that works in environmental advantage but is not mentioned as environmental quality goal in specific. If the differences in the counties planning are due to their different prerequisites and their structure or if the counties in general have different planning methods cannot with absolute certainty be determined from without only two counties. But it can be determined that these do differ.

The purpose of this study was to determine what levels of community satisfaction and personal and household characteristics would result in a model of retirees and pre-retirees and their propensity to move. This study assessed the relationship between certain socio-demographic variables and feelings of overall satisfaction as well as satisfaction with specific aspects of their current community. Community size and tenure, preferred community size, and the preference of staying or moving were also explored. Satisfaction was measured by both a global question of satisfaction and through the construction of a Community Satisfaction Scale (CSS) and three subscales. A hypothesized model was tested using logistic regression. Age, gender, duration in community, agreement between current and preferred community size (metropolitan or nonmetropolitan), overall satisfaction, and satisfaction with quality of life factors in the community and environmental quality were statistically significant in the prediction of likelihood of moving at retirement. Variables, some of which were significantly related to the dependent variable in preliminary analyses (chi-square and t-tests), that were not found to be significant in the logistic regression model of the propensity to move were: education, marital status, employment, household size, health, previous moving experiences, and the subscale community safety. Three measures of personal and household economic resources were also not found to be significant. According to final model in this study, in the sample of 50 to 70 years in Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming, those who were younger, had lived in the community fewer years, were living in a community size not in agreement with the stated size of community they preferred, and were male were more likely to response a preference to move. The results indicate small-urban and semi-rural communities are the most preferred places to move. The open areas outside the incorporated towns and cities were most favored locations. A benefit of elderly migration research in the past, discussed at length in the review of the literature, is that retirees bring with them to the community the benefits described as the "mail box economy." Understanding the levels of satisfaction of current residents ages 50 to 70 may be as important as policies to attract new inmigrants. / Graduation date: 1995

This study developed and applied a field test to evaluate the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)/Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)/United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Performance Measurement Protocols (PMP) for Commercial Buildings in a case-study office building in central Texas. As the first integrated protocol on building performance measurement, the ASHRAE PMP accomplished its goal of providing the standardized protocols for measuring and comparing the overall performance of a building, including energy, water, thermal comfort, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), lighting, and acoustics. However, several areas for improvement were identified such as conflicting results from different procedures or benchmarks provided in the ASHRAE PMP; limited guidelines for performing the measurements; lack of detailed modeling techniques, graphical indices, and clear benchmarks; and some practical issues (i.e., high cost requirements and time-intensive procedures). All these observations are listed as the forty issues, including thirteen for energy, five for water, and twenty-two for Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). Recommendations were developed for each issue identified. For the selected high-priority issues, twelve new or modified approaches were proposed and then evaluated against the existing procedures in the ASHRAE PMP. Of these twelve new or modified approaches, the following are the most significant developments: a more accurate monthly energy use regression model including occupancy; a monthly water use regression model for a weather-normalized comparison of measured water performance; a method how to use a vertical temperature profile to evaluate room air circulation; a method how to use LCeq – LAeq difference as a low-cost alternative to estimate low frequency noise annoyance; a statistical decomposition method of time-varying distribution of indices; and a real-time wireless IEQ monitoring system for the continuous IEQ measurements. The application of the forty recommendations and the twelve new or modified approaches developed in this study to the ASHRAE PMP is expected to improve the applicability of the ASHRAE PMP, which aligns the overall purpose of this study. Finally, this study developed a new single figure-of-merit rating system based on the ASHRAE PMP procedures. The developed rating system is expected to improve the usability of the protocols.