Bibliography: leaves 61-67.

Urban green spaces and trees are increasingly recognised as crucial elements in the quest for urban sustainability internationally, and for the promotion of urban liveability and quality of life in cities. So much so that many countries now have guidelines or regulations regarding either the amount of urban greenery that must be provided per capita, or the maximum distance that any dwelling can be from green spaces of stipulated sizes. For example, the European Union recently more than doubled its recommendation of 9 m2 of public green per person to 20 m2 per person.

Thesis (M.Arch. (Professional))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning, 2016. / The 21st century has been defined by urbanisation and rapid growth but seemingly not by the resultant ecological detriment. Modern communities, entrenched in anthropocentric thinking have managed to unwittingly destroy the biotic assemblage of natural ecologies, this to the detriment of their urban ecosystem. This has left modern settlements in ecological crisis. [EM]POWERMENT is an investigation of eco-industrial intervention within the 21st century paradigm. This dissertation explores the potential of eco-industry as an urban catalyst, one of altered consciousness and environmental awareness. It imagines the completion of natural cycles by industry so that a sustainable urban ecology may be realised and environmental systems regenerated. If communities are to rise above ecological crises, it is apparent that the ways in which individuals think needs to be redefined. Communities should be steered toward an eco-anthropocentric view where man and nature can exist as a harmonious system capable of regeneration. [EM]POWERMENT introduces a power generating eco-industrial catalyst within densely populated townships, rectifying the current paradox where power is not “to the people”, as our South African heritage may suggest. [EM]POWERMENT provides community upliftment through the provision of basic services and it also empowers communities through education, reconnection with nature and equity in the success of the system. / EM2017

published_or_final_version / abstract / Geography / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (M.Arch. (Professional))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, 2016. / Humans and animals have a diverse and complex set of relationships but their inextricable narratives of development leave them interdependent. By understanding the human fascination with other living beings, in conjunction with our responsibility of preserving the planet, the importance of human-animal interaction becomes apparent. Acknowledgment that understanding the role played by animals in society, ancient and modern, goes far beyond biology, introduces ideas of culture, association and imagination as key contributing elements to the forging of meaningful relationships between man and beast. Zoological gardens, as an architectural typology, are a fundamental platform for human-animal interaction and an important link in the chain of conservation. Their development over time illustrates a refl ection of human thought and highlights the typology as a powerful tool in the establishment of an environmental conscience. A redefi nition of the role of the modern zoo causes us to critically analyse the experience of animal spectatorship; learning about animals aids us in learning about ourselves. Understanding the complexities of both people and animals can expose common ground, through which we can educate ourselves and improve our abilities to create a better environment for animals, and in so doing perhaps also for ourselves. This thesis proposes a redevelopment scheme for a portion of Johannesburg Zoo; creating a transition from the traditional colonial zoological garden model to an urban ecological destination, in line with contemporary conservational thought. Through understanding the historical, topographical and functional layering that conglomerates the existing Johannesburg Zoo, the design prioritises a sensory architectural experience: liberating zoo animals from cages and altering the physical and psychological viewpoint of the spectator. / EM2017

This dissertation describes methods developed for analysis of the New York City energy system. The analysis specifically aims to consider the built environment and its' impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Several contributions to the urban energy systems literature were made. First, estimates of annual energy intensities of the New York building stock were derived using a statistical analysis that leveraged energy consumption and tax assessor data collected by the Office of the Mayor. These estimates provided the basis for an assessment of the spatial distribution of building energy consumption. The energy consumption estimates were then leveraged to estimate the potential for combined heat and power (CHP) systems in New York City at both the building and microgrid scales. In aggregate, given the 2009 non-baseload GHG emissions factors for electricity production, these systems could reduce citywide GHG emissions by 10%. The operational characteristics of CHP systems were explored further considering different prime movers, climates, and GHG emissions factors. A combination of mixed integer linear programing and controlled random search algorithms were the methods used to determine the optimal capacity and operating strategies for the CHP systems under the various scenarios. Lastly a multi-regional unit commitment model of electricity and GHG emissions production for New York State was developed using data collected from several publicly available sources. The model was used to estimate average and marginal GHG emissions factors for New York State and New York City. The analysis found that marginal GHG emissions factors could reduce by 30% to 370 g CO₂e/kWh in the next 10 years.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), the developer of Public Rental Housing (PRH), is the largest developer of housing in Hong Kong. PRH houses about one-third of the population and the scale of each estate development is sizable which would make strong impact on the living environment if they are not planned or managed well. In the coming years, the target annual supply of PRH contributes almost 40% of the new residential units supply in Hong Kong. The construction of these 40% housing units will follow the current sustainable approach. It will have strong impact on our environment if the current sustainable approach is not performing well. In the study, the environmental sustainability performance of the newly constructed PRH is going to be evaluated to investigate the successfulness of the current sustainable approach. Green Urbanism, a concept that arose in 1990s to promote the development of socially and environmentally sustainable city districts which make effort to minimize the use of energy at each stage of the city's or district's lifecycle, is reviewed in the study to provided bas. The environmental sustainability performance on the planning and design of PRH in Hong Kong are evaluated using the principle of green urbanism. The evaluations are divided into 2 parts, zero-emission and zero-waste, which covered different aspects in environmental sustainability. Three newly constructed PRH, Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate, Sau Mau Ping South Estate and Lam Tin Estate, are selected for the evaluation to investigate the successfulness of the sustainable approach which has been adopted in this decade. These housing estates are selected because of their outstanding sustainable achievements which are the benchmark of the future PRH developments. Based on the results and findings in the evaluation of the environmental sustainability performance of the planning and design of PRH, suggestions are provided for future sustainable public housing developments in order to create a better living environment in Hong Kong. / published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design