<p> Building Information Modeling (BIM), used by many for building design and construction, and Geographic Information GIS System (GIS), used for city planning, contain large spatial and attribute data which could be used for Lean and green city planning and development. However, there exist a systematic gap and interoperability challenge between BIM and GIS that creates a disjointed workflow between city planning data in GIS and building data in BIM. This hinders the seamless analysis of data between BIM and GIS for lean and green developments. This study targets the creation of a system which integrates BIM and GIS system data. The methods involve the establishment of a novel Environmental Information Modeling (EIM) framework to bridge the gap using Microsoft Visual C#. The application of this framework shows the potential of this concept. The research results provide an opportunity for more analysis for lean and green construction planning, development and management. </p>

<p> This project presents a theory and an application for using the integrated systems of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Six Sigma (SS) for the American Samoa Lyndon B Johnson (LBJ) Tropical Medical Center to improve results for the random survey and recertification process for Medicare and Medicaid. Identified aspects of the project include roles, responsibilities, and measurement requirements of the TQM framework, using the Juran Quality Trilogy, cost of quality, and investment training in SS. The basis of the research that forms the foundation of the project comes from a review of related literature. Methods are presented in order to clarify where improvement processes are required. This project provides the LBJ center with a proven approach that has found success for implementing TQM and an SS foundation to ensure efficient compliance with The Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other regulatory government agencies.</p>

<p> The Caribbean region consists of many small island developing states (SIDS) that are dependent on a sun, sea, and sand (3-S) tourism product. These SIDS are facing declining competitiveness vis-&agrave;-vis other tourism destinations and need to differentiate and rejuvenate their tourism product offerings. This study investigates the extent to which marijuana-tourism can lead to disruptive innovations (DI) in SIDS that are tourist dependent. A systematic review, using 53 research articles and a thematic synthesis analyzing seven different themes: (1) demographic profile of marijuana users and potential market size, (2) marijuana-tourism motivations, (3) common uses of marijuana, (4) types and structures of legal and regulatory frameworks, (5) cultivation, distribution, and marketing factors, (6) economic impacts of legalized recreational marijuana; and (7) adverse health and safety impacts were elaborated. The principal findings are that the regulatory framework for legalization acts as a mediating variable for defining the scope and structure of marijuana-related businesses and tourism niches that appear. When the recreational regulatory framework permits private competition, as evidenced in the early pioneering jurisdictions, significant economic benefits have resulted and at the same time social and health costs have been attenuated to date. In the context of SIDS, legal regimes are still largely prohibitionist, and in a few instances, partial liberalization has occurred. As liberalization progresses, structural and governance challenges exist that may moderate benefits. Further research is needed in many areas, given that the liberalization of marijuana laws is a recent phenomenon. More research is needed in areas, such as in-depth economic and social impacts analysis; the profile, composition, and expenditure patterns of marijuana tourists; the comparative advantages of different regulatory frameworks; and the public health and safety impacts for residents, marijuana tourists, and hospitality sector workers.</p><p>

<p> La agricultura en Puerto Rico ha experimentado un renacimiento despu&eacute;s de d&eacute;cadas de ser una de las actividades de menor crecimiento a nivel nacional. A principios del siglo XX, durante las primeras d&eacute;cadas del r&eacute;gimen colonial de los Estados Unidos, la agricultura era la principal actividad econ&oacute;mica dedicada principalmente a la producci&oacute;n de ca&ntilde;a de az&uacute;car para la exportaci&oacute;n. Luego de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la econom&iacute;a de la isla se industrializ&oacute; r&aacute;pidamente, lo que provoc&oacute; la ca&iacute;da de la producci&oacute;n agr&iacute;cola y la destrucci&oacute;n de la capacidad local para la producci&oacute;n de alimentos. Hoy d&iacute;a, Puerto Rico importa el 85% de los alimentos consumidos a trav&eacute;s de cadenas de suministro muy vulnerables con consecuencias para la econom&iacute;a, como el aumento en el costo de vida para la poblaci&oacute;n. </p><p> Durante los a&ntilde;os ochenta, el movimiento agroecol&oacute;gico surgi&oacute; en defensa de la soberan&iacute;a alimentaria y la sostenibilidad ambiental. La agroecolog&iacute;a se presenta como una pr&aacute;ctica alternativa para la producci&oacute;n de alimentos con alto impacto en las comunidades locales a trav&eacute;s de la sustituci&oacute;n de agroqu&iacute;micos por insumos naturales y el uso de pr&aacute;cticas intensivas en mano de obra. El movimiento ha logrado converger los esfuerzos de producci&oacute;n de un n&uacute;mero creciente de fincas pero, &iquest;es suficiente articular un modelo alternativo de desarrollo local? </p><p> Esta tesis pretende contribuir a la comprensi&oacute;n del movimiento agroecol&oacute;gico puertorrique&ntilde;o, en particular su potencial para actuar como un espacio de concertaci&oacute;n y aglutinaci&oacute;n de las fuerzas productivas para su eventual consolidaci&oacute;n como actor de desarrollo. A trav&eacute;s de una metodolog&iacute;a cuantitativa y cualitativa, en forma de entrevistas, revisi&oacute;n de documentos y an&aacute;lisis de datos estad&iacute;sticos, describimos las capacidades del movimiento agroecol&oacute;gico para la promoci&oacute;n de un modelo alternativo de desarrollo local; y c&oacute;mo la adopci&oacute;n de cadenas productivas cortas, como una estrategia de inserci&oacute;n en el mercado de alimentos, puede promover una mejor distribuci&oacute;n de los beneficios econ&oacute;micos locales. </p><p> Los resultados de nuestra investigaci&oacute;n demuestran que el movimiento agroecol&oacute;gico contiene las capacidades para promover un modelo alternativo de desarrollo local. Estas capacidades dependen de los esfuerzos de organizaci&oacute;n de los agricultores/as agroecol&oacute;gicos que permiten el dise&ntilde;o y la implementaci&oacute;n de estrategias en la forma de cadenas productivas cortas de alimentos. Estas estrategias permitieron una mayor visibilidad de su producci&oacute;n y la amplificaci&oacute;n de su alcance de mercado. Nuestra investigaci&oacute;n encontr&oacute; que un mayor &eacute;xito en las estrategias de inserci&oacute;n en el mercado ha promovido la agroecolog&iacute;a como una pr&aacute;ctica y ha alentado la llegada de nuevos agricultores/as al movimiento. Adem&aacute;s, argumentamos que mediante el fortalecimiento de sus capacidades productivas, aumenta el acceso a los recursos para la organizaci&oacute;n pol&iacute;tica del movimiento y su capacidad para influenciar la agenda de pol&iacute;tica p&uacute;blica a nivel nacional.</p><p>

<p> Maslow's hierarchy of needs identifies shelter (specifically safety and security) as a basic need that motivates people to continue through life. Many Americans are at risk of losing this basic need, yet we continue to stigmatize specific groups of people based on their inability to secure permanent housing. The integration of crisis intervention, resource networking, education, and empowerment into a supportive housing strategy in Washington, DC could reduce chronic homelessness. </p><p> Homelessness is a major issue that does not receive adequate attention in most cities. As gentrification continues, affordable housing is rapidly declining, placing longtime residents at risk of being displaced. An issue that can't be overlooked, homelessness contributes to social issues such as crime and violence. There are several stages of homelessness; therefore, multiple approaches must be developed to combat the issue at different points in the cycle. While an intervention may be successful in only one stage of the cycle, it could potentially provide the answers to questions surrounding other stages of homelessness. </p><p> This thesis will explore the causes of homelessness and only its associated problems. By identifying some of these problems and shedding light on some of the causes of homelessness (and realizing that those issues are present throughout society), this thesis will identify why it is important to create supportive housing and how this type of approach will help end chronic homelessness. </p><p> To develop a solution to this problem this thesis will use correlational research, observational research, qualitative data and quantitative data to identify the current homeless population, and the potential growth of the population within specific geographic areas. This information will help me identify a site and develop a replicable housing solution that will reduce the number of destitute residents, as well as potentially provide strategies for reducing the homeless population. </p><p> It has been determined that supportive housing, along with consideration for sustainability and several factors that affect the human psyche, will help end homelessness, which is costly in a small city such as Washington, DC. This thesis will explore supportive housing as one solution to chronic homelessness.</p><p>

Society's need for industry has been at odds with maintaining a sound and healthy natural environment. The concept of sustainability has arisen to bridge the gap between the competing forces of industry and environment. Through sustainability, industry is promoted, natural resources are protected, and both the economy and the environment gains. One example of sustainability in action is the eco-industrial park. This park differs from conventional industrial parks in how it embraces the principles of sustainability in construction, operation, and production. This thesis will examine the development of the eco-industrial park concept from the broader concepts of sustainability and industrial ecology. Sustainability will be further conceptualized and operationalized through the use of indicators. Then, those indicators will be in a case study of the former Fort Devens Army Base to evaluate, qualitatively and quantitatively, which better achieves the goals of sustainability: an eco-industrial park or a conventional industrial park.

This dissertation is a geographical analysis of the Dutch Green Urbanism planning paradigm and its origin, evolution and spatial implementation in Almere New City, the most recently planned and built city in the Netherlands. This morphological study of planned development examines the essence of the Dutch metropolitan planning process in the latter half of the twentieth century and its influence on Almere's conceptual development that began in the late 1960s and actual spatial development that began in 1975. This study is set in the context of both international and national efforts to create “green urbanism”—a revised approach to urban planning that captures both the central and environmental dimensions of a more ecological and aesthetic planning process that emphasizes the important role of cities and positive urbanism in shaping more sustainable places, communities, and lifestyles. “Green Urbanism” is a term that was first used by Timothy Beatley (2000), and it builds upon a series of approaches to urban planning. This concept is applied throughout this dissertation and encapsulated in my urban morphological analysis of planned development and urban form in Almere New City, the Netherlands.

The environment has become an important issue in planning agendas as a consequence of the industrial era. Planners have begun to use scientific findings and strategies in solving problems. Among these strategies, the greenway planning strategy is promoted by landscape-ecological planning proponents and employed by planners because of its multifunctional features. Along with the positive science-based strategies, social sciences began to discuss the meaning of environment in the light of post-modern perspectives after the late 1980s. The environment is recognized as a discourse based on intertwined social, economic and political understandings. There are different discourses on the meaning of environment among different countries; moreover, there is a significant distinction between the environmental discourses of industrial countries and developing countries. This research investigates the modes of adaptability of the green-way planning strategy in the Istanbul Metropolitan Area (IMA), Turkey, by exploring the differences in environmental discourses between industrial and developing countries. It is argued that the environmental discourses are interconnected in the process of making and implementing physical plans that have ecological concerns. Moreover, industrial and developing countries exhibit relatively sharper differences in environmental discourses than within the industrial countries or within the developing countries. The investigation has been undertaken in two phases. In the fast phase two industrial country metropolitan area plans (Toronto and Portland, OR) and two developing country metropolitan area plans (Jakarta and Mexico City) are examined. Based upon this examination, a draft strategy has been drawn. In the following phase, the possibility of implementing the strategy in the IMA is investigated through interviews. The research concludes that environmental discourses differ in developing countries as compared to industrial countries in two ways. First, developing countries do not have environmental discourses of their own in the same way as do the industrial countries; they utilize mostly the discourses imported from industrial countries. Second, the content of environmental discourses can be subject to weakening or under-utilization, as in the case of sustainability. The research also found that the greenway planning strategy can be adapted to a developing country's planning system within the limitations of the planning tradition and environmental priorities of that country.

The cultural landscape of Lisbon Metropolitan Area evolved through processes of trial and error, and cultural exchanges, leading to a landscape that is in many situations ecologically sustainable, visual attractive, and culturally and historically identifiable. This results in a high landscape quality that is underlying the attraction of population to this region, its tourist industry and urban development. This research aims to explore the significance of cultural and historic resources for the development of a greenway network for the conservation of landscape quality. The landscape is studied in two levels (regional and local), through two case studies: Northern municipalities of Lisbon Metropolitan Area, and the municipality of Amadora (in Lisbon Metropolitan Area). Research at the regional level is framed by parametric methods of landscape planning. The results show that it is possible to delineate a greenway network for Lisbon Metropolitan Area, strongly supported by the landscape patterns of cultural and historic resources. A method framework for local level draws on landscape planning, environmental history, landscape conservation, and cultural geography, is applied at the local level. This level of research also used parametric methods of landscape assessment, complemented with an environmental historic, landscape ecology, and cultural geography approaches, using secondary historic, and focus group interviews data sources. The objective is to address the local values and ascertain the significance of the regional level approach when applied to the local scale. Cultural and historic resources assessment should include the different cultural perspectives and environmental contexts existing in fragmented metropolitan areas. which eventually underlies the uniqueness of each place. This research concludes that cultural and historic resources have a high potential for the development of greenway networks in ancient settled metropolitan Mediterranean landscapes, such as in Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Such a network can provide for the conservation of landscape quality and bring about development and recreation opportunities. However to thoroughly achieve these objectives, the criteria for the assessment of cultural and historic resources have to consider diversified levels of cultural and historic significance, becoming therefore significant resources for the economic development and cultural identity at a national, regional and local scale.

As it is often the failure of governments to meet the perceived needs of identity groups in a divided society, the challenge is incumbent upon them to provide a fair and equitable distribution of a variety resources, from land, to infrastructure, to financial assistance to industry. Thus, urban planning can create the physical basis for either ameliorating or exacerbating ethnic conflict, as these conflicts are often manifest in claims on the physical environment. A strong interest in studying the dynamics of planning in polarized societies is reflective of the need to fully understand the implications of urban change in this context. This research is an exploration of national planning mandates and their effects upon ethnic conflict. Specifically, it analyzes how communal relations can deteriorate even when government leaders make genuine efforts to meet the need and demands of competing groups. This paper is a study of Northern Ireland in the early 1960s during the introduction of regional planning by way of the Matthew and Wilson Plans. These national policies, intended to promote both physical and economic development and better community relations, actually contributed to a deepening of tensions between the Catholic and Protestant communities. Through archival research, a series of three case studies undertaken at the regional, city and neighborhood levels uncovers how the plans were perceived by both groups to potentially destroy their ability to secure economic opportunity, determine the use of their land, and maintain their identity and way of life. Therefore, the plans created a context which instigated the worst collective fears of both communities, ultimately resulting in protest and violence and what had initially promised to be a relatively peaceful decade ended in some of the worst violence the region has ever witnessed.