The way people view development is changing. The world now advocates for a development that also considers future generations. There is a paradigm shift towards sustainable development - a development in today's lifestyle without destroying the resources for tomorrow generations. Sustainable development is a broad concept that addresses how human activities impact on the economic, environmental and social well-being of an ecosystem; however, practical application of the sustainability concept is complex because its objective assessment is elusive. It is often said that the effect of technology on society has never been more profound than today. As mankind develops in science and technology to improve on his well-being, certain impacts are made on the systems that support human existence. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology, like gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology, is a latest innovation conceived to 'fight' the problem of gas flaring, and help contribute to the social and economic growth of the people; but it is necessary for man to know if these contemporary technologies are sustainable. This dissertation critically appraises the impact of the LNG project on the community of Bonny Island in Nigeria from a holistic perspective. The approach to the research work is three-fold: an appropriate sustainability framework is selected based on certain criteria; sustainability indicators are developed from the chosen framework; and the sustainability indicators are used to assess the impact of the project on the flora and fauna of the community. To have a clear picture of the impact of Nigeria LNG on its host community, Epe-Waterside is chosen as a control community because of its similar socio-geographical outlook to Bonny Island community. The control community is then subjected to the same set of sustainability indicators for a comparative analysis. The outcome of the research work shows that, though the economic and social conditions of Bonny Island seem much better, its environmental status remains a challenge. In other words, it can be concluded that the present approach to the operation of the LNG technology is not sustainable. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The way people view development is changing. The world now advocates for a development that also considers future generations. There is a paradigm shift towards sustainable development - a development in today's lifestyle without destroying the resources for tomorrow generations. Sustainable development is a broad concept that addresses how human activities impact on the economic, environmental and social well-being of an ecosystem; however, practical application of the sustainability concept is complex because its objective assessment is elusive. It is often said that the effect of technology on society has never been more profound than today. As mankind develops in science and technology to improve on his well-being, certain impacts are made on the systems that support human existence. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology, like gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology, is a latest innovation conceived to 'fight' the problem of gas flaring, and help contribute to the social and economic growth of the people; but it is necessary for man to know if these contemporary technologies are sustainable. This dissertation critically appraises the impact of the LNG project on the community of Bonny Island in Nigeria from a holistic perspective. The approach to the research work is three-fold: an appropriate sustainability framework is selected based on certain criteria; sustainability indicators are developed from the chosen framework; and the sustainability indicators are used to assess the impact of the project on the flora and fauna of the community. To have a clear picture of the impact of Nigeria LNG on its host community, Epe-Waterside is chosen as a control community because of its similar socio-geographical outlook to Bonny Island community. The control community is then subjected to the same set of sustainability indicators for a comparative analysis. The outcome of the research work shows that, though the economic and social conditions of Bonny Island seem much better, its environmental status remains a challenge. In other words, it can be concluded that the present approach to the operation of the LNG technology is not sustainable. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:20:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JulioCM.pdf: 1291551 bytes, checksum: e23908cfc95215d20450eedf07222838 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-11-30 / One of the agreements assumed at the conference of the United Nations for the Environments and Development which took place in Rio de Janeiro in 1992; through Global Agenda 21, was that the signatory countries would create a national Politics of sustainable development, by means of their national Agenda 21. Demonstrating the relevance of municipal districts and the local communities, during the definitions of new development standards compromised to the transformation of the society, socia1ly and environmentally well-balanced world, it was also agreed on that places under the responsibilities of the municipal districts would promote their own local Agenda 21. We need to point out though that the government has the prerogative and the responsibly of facilitating the population participation process in the construction of national and local Agenda. This made it possible again, to plan the scheming process directly towards the insertion of population participation at the different levels, involving the entire local sectors while establishing a new local partnership through the local municipal government. Thus, we decide to verify the participation of the population in the construction of their local Agenda 21, choosing for the study case Parnamirim municipality from RN. The question which originated the objectives and analysis was formulated on the following terms: Up to which stage was the process of population participation effective in the elaboration of Parnamirims's local Agenda 21? Based on this uneasiness, it was defined as the general objective, the verification of population participation process during the elaboration of Parnamirims's local Agenda 21, aiming at its effectiveness as well as specific objectives; to identify the population representivity, the construction of the local AG 21 in order to identify on which level is the participation based, to verify the strategies used in order to promote the process participation, to identify the motives guiding those involved in the construction of the local Agenda 21. This case study at Parnamirim municipal district demonstrated that there was effective population participation as far as the local Agenda 21 is concerned / Um dos pactos assumidos na Confer?ncia das Na??es Unidas para o Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento, realizada no Rio de Janeiro em 1992, atrav?s da Agenda 21Global foi que os pa?ses signat?rios gerariam pol?ticas nacionais de desenvolvimento sustent?vel, por meio de suas Agendas 21 nacionais. Frente ? relev?ncia dos munic?pios e das comunidades locais, na defini??o de novos padr?es de desenvolvimento comprometido com a transforma??o da sociedade para um mundo mais equilibrado social e ambientalmente, tamb?m foi acordado que as localidades sob responsabilidades dos governos municipais promoveriam a constru??o de suas Agendas 21 Locais. Destacando que os governos t?m a prerrogativa e a responsabilidade de facilitar os processos participativos da popula??o na constru??o das Agendas nacionais e locais. O que se tornou poss?vel (re) pensar um planejamento voltado diretamente para a inser??o da participa??o da popula??o nos diferentes n?veis, envolvendo todos os setores sociais no estabelecimento de uma nova parceria local por meio do governo municipal. Assim sendo, resolvemos verificar a participa??o da popula??o na constru??o da Agenda 21Local, tendo como estudo de caso o munic?pio de Parnamirim, situado no RN. A quest?o que fundamentou os objetivos e a an?lise empreendida foi formulada nos seguintes termos: em que medida o processo de participa??o da popula??o foi efetivo na elabora??o da Agenda 21 Local de Parnamirim? A partir desta inquieta??o, foi definido como objetivo geral verificar o processo de participa??o da popula??o na elabora??o da AG21L de Parnamirim, visando sua efetividade e, como objetivos espec?ficos, identificar as representatividades que participaram da constru??o da AG21L; apreender o tipo de participa??o da popula??o na constru??o da AG21L, visando identificar em que n?vel se deu essa participa??o; verificar as estrat?gias de mobiliza??es utilizadas para promover o processo participativo da popula??o na constru??o da AG21L; identificar os motivos que nortearam os envolvidos a participarem na constru??o da AG21L e identificar a concep??o de DS compreendida para constru??o da AG21L. O estudo de caso, no munic?pio de Parnamirim, demonstrou que efetivamente ocorreu a participa??o da popula??o na constru??o da AG21L

The thesis deals with the implementation of the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) method in the Czech Republic and the possible real change of municipal policy as a result of this method. The author chose four case studies for his research (Prague, Prague 10 city district, Prague 14 city district, Chrudim city) selected by the so-called "most different system design" method, ie successful municipalities on the one hand and unsuccessful on the other. In addition to this dichotomy, the author adds a perspective of different types of municipal system: city vs. city district. The methodology of the thesis is based on two pillars - content analysis of strategic documents and the current outputs of the individual municipal offices, and semi-structured interviews conducted by the author, which clearly shows that the LA21 method is a strongly political subject, depending on the current level of political support, which fundamentally influences whether or not real change of the municipal policy towards sustainable development at local level. The paper also directly identifies some of the institutional shortcomings of the LA21 method as it is set up today by the LA21 Working Group of the Government Council for Sustainable Development based on the principles of the United Nations global initiative from 1992. At the same...

Current research indicates that the potential risks associated with human-induced climate change are likely to increase in frequency and intensity. Although there have been several attempts, no effective international treaty or policy has been enacted by the United States with the purpose of combating this global issue. In the past decade, local climate action plans (CAPs) have emerged as a planning solution designed to reduce greenhouse emissions (GHGs). Previous studies have examined CAP attributes, but no research has focused solely on climate planning in politically conservative jurisdictions. This research finds that of 245 CAPs completed to date nationally, approximately 90 percent are located in communities identified as politically Democratic based on county level 2012 Presidential Election data. In order to expand climate planning in politically conservative communities, it is important evaluate the characteristics of CAPs in these communities. This thesis aims to fill the current research gap by analyzing CAPs and conducting stakeholder interviews in seven conservative communities. The central hypothesis is: Climate action plans adopted in conservative communities differ in motivations, type, and political backing, when compared to climate action plans in general. The findings of this case study indicate that CAPs created in conservative communities do not differ substantially from CAPs in general. However, the findings suggest political opposition is heightened in these communities. In addition, the evidence shows that in conservative communities: economic co-benefits are stressed, cost-saving measures are over emphasized, CAP terminology is altered, business community involvement is crucial, and state mandates motivate CAP creation. The results of this research are distilled into 12 lessons and best practices for planning practitioners, and establish a basis for future research focusing on the political nature of climate action planning.

The contents of the Thesis feature a survey of contemporary international attitude to environmental development and its effect on the educational trends in the Czech republic. Also, the short-term eco-educational project intended for primary school children is included here in the Thesis. The aim of the project is to arouse environmental awareness of children and excite their interest in this matter, which is considered to be the first essential step towards the sustainable development.

Des dynamiques de durabilité urbaine sont identifiables à partir des outils territoriaux que sont les Agendas 21, Plans Climat et projets de quartiers durables, essentiellement menés par les collectivités territoriales. Même dans la métropole parisienne, pourtant peu avancée vers le développement durable urbain, un patchwork d'initiatives émerge, porté par des acteurs engagés, montrant la généralisation en cours de la mise en œuvre de la durabilité urbaine, qui à son tour entraîne d'autres acteurs. Néanmoins ces initiatives se heurtent à des forces d'inertie liées à des concentrations d'enjeux territoriaux difficiles à appréhender pour les acteurs. Alors que l'échelle métropolitaine d'action s'impose au regard de la durabilité urbaine, les politiques de durabilité ne s'élaborent pas à cette échelle mal territorialisée ; en revanche les projets de durabilité s'arriment aux projets métropolitains. Agendas 21 et Plans Climat ne territorialisent guère leur action. Les projets de quartiers durables montrent des efforts de couturage urbain et d'intégration du milieu urbain. Ces leviers d'action demeurent limités car mal connectés. Les citoyens sont encore mal mobilisés mais peuvent davantage constituer un moteur de durabilité. Cette thèse contribue à une géographie environnementale de la durabilité, ancrée dans les territoires et dans les milieux, cherchant à apporter concepts et méthodologies (évaluation par indicateurs et techniques d'enquête).