Many studies have suggested that the tornado database is biased by the concentration of human observers. Some studies have shown a possible 66% decrease in tornado reporting can be directly attributed to population density. This study examines whether or not such biases exist throughout the United States. Population data are compared to the historical tornado database in order to better understand the relationship(s) between each variable. Various statistical and spatial techniques are implemented in order to better identify relationships. As expected, weak (F0-F1) tornadoes show a correlation to both population patterns and travel routes. However, not all regions of the United States share the same relationships during the study period. Therefore, any meaningful adjustment to the tornado climatology cannot be made because of the variation in both spatial and temporal changes.

This project explores the challenges of increasing density in a college town grappling with how to appropriately respond to expected population growth. It presents a concept idea for a section of Downtown Blacksburg, Virginia that meets the various planning goals for the community. It also experiments with an innovative way of presenting and fostering discussion around this kind of vision by inviting stakeholders to experience models of the concept in an immersive three dimensional environment. Common negative perceptions of density lead to resistance to increased density projects by the public and elected representatives. While there seems to be a consensus of understanding that denser development is preferable to sprawl, Americans in communities across the country have been resisting efforts to increase density. In Blacksburg higher density is often met with fear of student housing located too close to single family neighborhoods. Density resistance is rooted largely in the lack of general knowledge of what density looks like, how it is built, and how it feels once built. The negative aspects of high density neighborhoods, which have caused fearful reactions, are results of poor design, not an inevitability caused by density. This thesis uses two approaches to argue for the advantages of higher density development. Methods include background research of densification elsewhere, a neighborhood redevelopment proposal, and a research event in which a select group of participants completed surveys, viewed presentations of 3D computer models of virtual developments in Blacksburg, and discussed their opinions and thoughts about the models and proposal. This project has demonstrated that 3D modeling is a more effective planning tool for helping decision-makers perceive density and understand the value of quality designs than typical planning tools based on 2D presentations. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning / This project explores the difficulties of increasing density in a college town struggling with how to plan for population growth. It presents a concept idea for a section of Downtown Blacksburg, Virginia that meets the various planning goals for the community. It also experiments with an innovative way of presenting plans with 3D computer models to prompt discussion about the vision by inviting a group of people to experience 3D models of the concept in an immersive display. Many citizens and elected representatives have negative preconceptions of density which make them leery of projects that increase density in the neighborhood in which they are proposed. Even though there seems to be a common understanding that denser development is preferable to sprawl, Americans in communities across the country have been resisting efforts to increase density. In Blacksburg higher density is often met with fear of student housing located too close to single family neighborhoods. Density resistance is rooted largely in the lack of general knowledge of what density looks like, how it is built, and how it feels once built. The negative aspects of high density neighborhoods are results of poor design, not inherent traits of density.2 This thesis uses two approaches to argue for the advantages of higher density development. Methods include background research of densification elsewhere, a neighborhood redevelopment proposal, and a research event in which a select group of participants completed surveys, viewed presentations of 3D computer models of conceptual developments in Blacksburg, and discussed their opinions and thoughts about the models and proposed ideas. This project has shown that 3D modeling is a better planning tool for helping decision-makers understand density and quality design than typical planning tools based on 2D presentations.

No description available.

Repeated exposure to tornado events in “Dixie Alley” over the years with often fatal outcomes has led to vibrant discussion in the weather enterprise. Two areas of focus for research are socio-economic factors which increase vulnerability for individuals, and the communication channels used by individuals during tornado events. Understanding what individuals know and how their background and experiences play a role in weather knowledge can help communicators reach at-risk groups more effectively and efficiently not only in the moments that matter, but also when education can play a role in the weeks and months before a potential tornado event. Through a comprehensive survey, socio-economic factors were analyzed with public perception and tornado alert knowledge. Individuals in Mississippi and Alabama have a firm grasp in tornado knowledge and can perceive vulnerability based on several factors.

Wildlife habitat values associated with agroforestry systems in Mississippi are not fully understood. Landscape matrix changes resulting in close location of various agricultural and tree crops can provide habitat more suitable for use by game wildlife. This study examined the feasibility of improving habitat value by adopting agroforestry alley cropping practices. A completely randomized block design was utilized to ascertain production values for two different even-aged crop trees, shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), and four different agricultural crops, corn (Zea mays L.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), and soybeans (Glycine max L.). Breeding bird surveys and camera surveys were used to quantify wildlife use and determine habitat improvement produced by this agroforestry management. If agroforestry land management improves wildlife habitat quality so hunters are willing to pay higher premiums, landowners can generate additional economic return from hunting leases.

A study of public and private space through human scale architectural elements: Window, Material and Path. The project is an urban infill that is very narrow and long, and incorporates an alley that connects one side of the block to another. The program combines a small restaurant with a home above for the family that owns it. Questions of light and privacy immediately arise, and the thesis begins. A window is typically a two dimensional object that opens for light and air. Window is a dining room overlooking a garden or a large sill to sit on. Window is not only part of the façade but also breaks through it, bringing small private spaces beyond the building boundaries and defining the interior spaces of the home. Window is also a small skylight facing east, scooping in soft morning light to a bedroom. The materials of a building are what it is made of: its cladding, waterproofing, walls and floors. Material makes an emotive space through touch and reflection. Concrete is heavy, rough and protective, Concrete is boundary. Contrastingly, Wood is soft, flexible and changing, Wood is home. An alley is a narrow walkway, an undesirable secondary access point. How can an alley become Path? Path is an invitation to walk and be, Path is not the same from beginning to end. Path belongs to the city, the restaurant, and the pedestrian. Inside + Outside studies what makes these public and private places at the human scale, and how architecture appeals to intuition rather than definition. / Master of Architecture

What does it mean to truly dwell within a city marked by the cycles of political turnover? How does one carve out for himself a unique sense of belonging in a city with such a grand history? Martin Heidegger suggests that in building "nests" for ourselves, we begin to build our lives. We build our own stories into the traditions and myths of a place. This thesis proposes four unique stories, or four dwelling typologies, stitched together by a common alley site. Each dwelling typology finds its primary expression in one of the Four Classical Elements — Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. The four are intended to be read as distinct artifacts within the urban fabric of Washington, D.C., yet also as siblings of the same architectural family. The four dwelling typologies include (1) a studio for an artist, (2) a residence above a small business, (3) loft apartments and (4) a boutique hotel. Each occupies an infill site along the District of Colombia's historic Blagden Alley. / Master of Architecture

Estudo sobre a possibilidade de revisão do contrato aleatório por superveniente onerosidade excessiva de uma das partes contratantes em virtude de acontecimentos extraordinários e imprevisíveis. Mesmo diante de um posicionamento vacilante de vários teóricos a respeito desse tema, a tendência é a plena possibilidade da revisão e até mesmo a extinção do contrato aleatório por conta da superveniente e imprevista onerosidade excessiva ocorrida no curso do cumprimento da avença, à luz das modernas diretrizes do Direito Civil, sobretudo se considerada a necessidade de adequação do direito positivo às soluções que melhor se amoldem à estabilização das relações contratuais, de modo a evitar o desequilíbrio além da âlea contratada. De um ponto de vista criterioso, é plenamente possível prever situações que, no contrato aleatório, permitam e justifiquem evitar a perpetuação do ônus excessivo e nocivo imposto a uma das partes contratantes em razão de indesejáveis e imprevisíveis eventos supervenientes. / Study on the possibility of aleatory contract review for impracticability or supervening excessive burden of a contracting party by virtue of extraordinary and unpredictable events. Even with an unsteady position of many theorists on this subject, the tendency is the full possibility of review and even the resolution of aleatory contract due to the supervening excessive burden or impracticability occurred in the course of fulfillment of the covenant, according to the guidelines of the modern civil law, especially when considering the need to adapt the positive law to the right solutions that are best conformed to the stabilization of contractual relations, in order to avoid the imbalance beyond the contracted alley. In an insightful perspective, it is fully possible to foresee situations that permit and justify, in an aleatory contract, to avoid the perpetuation of excessive and harmful burden imposed on a contracting party by reason ofthe occuffence of unwanted and unpredictable events.

Through architectural design, this investigation explores a strategy for defining the back alley as a new place of community and dwelling. The study considers ideas to design living spaces that offer amenities in a compact form as well as the creation of meaningful public and private spaces within the context of existing Calgary, Alberta, Canada neighborhoods. This thesis examines and evaluates ideas for the adaptation of patterns of existing communities to allow an increase in density to accommodate a diverse scope of families, life styles, income quintiles and utilization. The focus of the study is on small units of incremental change at a scale which can be undertaken by the individual homeowner or contractor. This study believes that it is in this spectrum that some of the most powerful and effective changes can be made in the urban fabric.

This report explores issues surrounding health concerns in the State of Louisiana in the context of environmental justice. It provides a history of Cancer Alley, an area along the Mississippi River with disproportionately high cancer rates. It discusses case studies of environmental justice issues within the state. The researcher provides a geographical analysis and statistical analysis to estimate whether there is a relationship between the presence of industrial plants and health indicators, specifically cancer and infant mortality. Using cancer and infant mortality as health indicators for a population, the evidence supports a correlation between the presence of industrial pollution and waste with cancer rates and infant mortality rates across the State of Louisiana. Given that these populations are predominantly minority and low-income, these results reflect an environmental injustice. / text