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The release of land for new housing development represents a primary function of the planning system within the United Kingdom. At the same time, it represents one of the most debated aspects of land use planning. Indeed, on the 5th June 1996, at the annual conference of the Royal Town Planning Institute, the then Secretary of State for the Environment, John Gummer, appealed for a national debate on the provision on new housing. He stressed that the projected growth in housing demand would have severe implications for the environment unless many of the issues associated with the growth were fully and openly discussed. This research explores the allocation of housing land within a high growth area. Using the former Grampian Region (Scotland) as a case study, the research investigates the principal technical and procedural issues associated with the release of land for new housing development. A range of qualitative and quantitative techniques are employed, set within a 'Structure and Agency' framework. The initial quantitative stage includes a detailed analysis of planning applications, appeals and residential development figures for the Aberdeen area. This provides an overview of the location and nature of past housing development and enables the identification of a number of issues pertinent to the release of housing land. These issues are subsequently discussed with the principal agents involved, namely, planners, developers, elected councillors and the general public. The main findings of the study suggest that the scale and location of new housing development, has and will continue to, represent one of the most controversial aspects of land use planning. This controversy has a protracting effect on the preparation of structure and local development plans throughout the United Kingdom. These delays increase the difficulty of maintaining an adequate supply of housing land and consequently expose the system to the appeal process and ultimately, the control of the developer. This undermines the influence of the other agents (planners, councillors and the public) as the system becomes increasingly 'appeal-led' and controlled by central government. At a specific level, the research questions the medium to long-term capacity of the Aberdeen area to accommodate brownfield housing alongside the extent to which the current planning system caters for residential choice. It suggests that further greenfield releases may be necessary at a strategic level in order to provide an adequate supply (and choice) of housing land. The study argues that the current approach towards housing land allocation is overly concerned with releasing a sufficient supply of housing to meet demand and fails to consider the extent to which this land will provide an adequate choice of housing. It is considered that the predominance of flatted accommodation within redeveloped brownfield sites and associated failure to provide an adequate choice of house type, size and location will only exacerbate the public's desire for suburban and rural living. Reservations are also expressed with regard to the current direction of policy thinking on brownfield housing, in particular, the drive towards maximising the density of such housing and corresponding desire for local planning authorities to review industrial land allocations in favour of residential use. The study recommends that further research is required in order to address the issue of housing choice within a brownfield-led strategy. It also recommends that the current level of central government involvement in local decision making requires further investigation. The requirement for planning authorities to provide an adequate and continuous supply of housing land and the extent to which this prevents authorities from fully accounting for windfall sites within their housing land strategies represents another issue upon which future research is required. Above all, the study illustrates the manner in which debate on the issue of housing land has progressed over the last five years. This clearly strengthens its validity as an issue worthy of detailed consideration. In this respect, further research is needed to refine the land use planning system and ensure that the future allocation of housing land can be undertaken more effectively.

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Urban Entertainment Destinations (UED) are a new form of development comprised of unanchored retail projects that mix entertainment venues and icon restaurants as a solution for enticing visitors back to the city. The difference between these destinations and the traditional shopping mall is the experience gained when leaving the destination. As a solution, several cities have considered Urban Entertainment Destinations as a developmental means for revitalizing the downtown. This thesis design project attempts to explore the significance of UED's by conducting a literature review and case study analysis of nine UED's across the United States. Studies extracted from each module revealed the importance of six key strategies- Placemaking, Multi-Anchoring, Contextual Links, Critical Mix & Mass, Programmability, and Branded Identity. Particular attention was placed on placemaking; designing gathering spaces, pathways, material choices, spatial relationships, and programmed land use. An emphasis has been made on incorporating the history and culture and the site's sense of place, two placemaking components that help create a distinct destination. These strategies were used as a basis for developing a set of design criteria that were in turn applied to the development of a master plan for a new UED in Rockford, Illinois. / Master of Landscape Architecture

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“All countries are vulnerable to climate change and instability in weather patterns but the poorest countries and the poorest people within them are most vulnerable, being the most exposed and having the least means to adapt” (IMF and World Bank Development Committee, 2006). African cities, as other cities around the world, are prone to flooding within in urban areas. The increased flooding from climate change, could have seriously destabilising effects for Africa (Commission for Africa, 2005). Climate records shows that most of Africa warmed by approximately 0.7°C during the twentieth century (IPCC Working Group II, 2001). Future changes in rainfall will depend greatly on the influence of global warming. In addition, a United Nations World Water Report states that in the beginning of the twenty-first century, the Earth with its diverse and abundant life forms (including over six billion humans), is facing a serious water crisis. Water needs to be conserved in any way possible. (United Nations World Water Report, n.d.). This study aims to explore the role in which floodingin urban landscapes can be addressed, but simultaneously stored for future use. It argues that the negative element of flooding can rather be used, i.e the water could be conserved and used in the build environment, rather than inhibiting social, economic and ecological factors. The pilot project in this stage can at the same time, serve as an urban generator. An innovative solution (urban water park) is analysed and tested and serves as a possible outcome to address flooding problems within an African city (Maputo, Mozambique). Afrika, 2005). / Stede in Afrika, soos in ander in die wêreld, is onderhewe aan vloedrampe in stedelike areas. Die toenemende vloedegevalle, tesame met die impak van klimaatsverandering, kan uiterse destabilisering vir die Afrika kontinent inhou (Kommissie vir Afrika, 2005). ‘n Klimaatsrekord, bewys dat gedurende die twintigste eeu, ‘n groot deel van Afrika onderworpe was aan ‘n hittetoename van omtrent 0.7°C (IPPC Werksgroep II, 2011). Toekomstige veranderinge in reënval sal grootliks afhang van die invloed van aardsverwarming. Ter aanvoering van die argument word daar adisioneel toegevoeg dat die Verenigde Nasies se Wêreldswater Verslag die volgende aanlas: dat die aarde, met sy diverse en verskeidenheid van lewende wesens (wat oor die ses miljioen mense insluit), aan die begin van die een-en-twintigste eeu onderworpe sal wees aan ernstige watertekorte. Water moet dus in alle moontlike maniere gespaar word (Verenigde Nasies se Wêreldswater Verslag, geen datum). Die studie beoog om die rol van vloede in die verstedelike landskap te ondersoek en aan te spreek tot voordeel van die bouomgewing. Die ontwerp poog om die huidige negatiewe element van water eerder te bewaar en die gebruik daarvan te aan te moedig. Hierdeur word word die omswaai in sosiale, ekonomiese en ekologiese faktore inplekgestel. ‘n Projek sal dan terselfdertyd as verstedelike genereerder dien. ‘n Innoverende oplossing, ‘n stedelike water park, is geondersoek en getoets. Hierdie sal moontlik as die oplossing dien van die huidige vloedprobleme in hierdie Afrika stad (Maputo, Mosambiek). / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Architecture / unrestricted

This thesis deals with the real estate business, focusing on brownfields and the possibility of its funding from the EU structural funds and national resources. It introduces the reader not only with the theoretical foundations, the clarification of the notions of brownfields and their history, but also with its practical aspects, e.g. which financing options are available and how an entrepreneur can apply for such aid. In these times of financial crisis and lack of access to bank loans this thesis brings comprehensive overview of alternative real estate financing options using public support in order to return the beneficial aspects of brownfield site development and to boost the investment environment, which brings significant benefits to the community. Finally, it gives examples of successful projects recently carried out in Czech Republic.