No description available.

Protected areas in Kenya constitute 7% of the total land area with over 75% of wildlife in the country being found on private or communal land. Wi th one of the highest population growth rates in the world and facing a range of developmen t issues with limited resources, one of the greatest challenges in Kenya is reconciling and sus taining economic development with biodiversity conservation and sharing the costs and benefits of conservation between individuals, state and the general community. The study was info rmed by the relevant literature and the researcher’s fieldwork which was conducted in 2008 in three categories of protected areas under different governance types and primary management o bjectives in Kenya (Lake Nakuru National Park – government managed, Kimana Community Wildlif e Sanctuary – communally managed, and Kedong Game Ranch – privately managed). The res earch examined the general issues of how local communities in Kenya have embraced differ ent biodiversity conservation strategies. A major emphasis was on identifying those factors inf luencing their attitudes towards conservation approaches and their participation in conservation management institutions. At issue was whether support for a particular conservation strat egy is primarily a function of communities’ experiences with biodiversity decline or their rela tionship with the conservation authorities. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative techniques in gathering the data. A total of 270 community respondents and 45 staff respondents were interviewed. Several demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the local peo ple that include age, gender, educational level and location, amongst others, were found to signifi cantly influence the attitudes of the local people towards the protected areas conservation act ivities. The direction of the influences (whether positive or negative) depended on the mana gement category of the particular protected area. The general findings of the study suggest tha t although local people appreciate the crucial value of biodiversity and the role of protected are as in conserving it, there is some evidence of resentment towards some management activities of th e protected area regulators. Negative attitudes were attributed to perceived problems of living next to the protected areas such as lack of involvement of the local people in the managemen t of the protected areas, restrictive access to and use of resources from the protected areas, hara ssment by the conservation enforcing agents, conflicts with wildlife and lack of compensation fo r damages and losses incurred. Widespread support for the management activities was associate d with perceived benefits to the local populations such as support for educational program mes, social amenities, employment and business opportunities. It is clear from this study that different rationales of conserving biodiversity need to address the issue of protected area management in the context of sustainable development through a combination of conservation s trategies. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The concept of sustainability has recently entered mainstream political, social and economic discourses. It has become, almost overnight, the politically correct, or ecologically correct, buzzword which may continue to define the environmental rhetoric of the 1990s. The concept of sustainability, as it currently exists in the conventional discourses, differs from its original radical conceptions. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the original conceptions of sustainability as presented within the steady state, simple living, and social ecology discourses. It is also the purpose of this thesis to examine possible explanations for the inconsistencies between the conventional and radical conceptions of sustainability and to suggest a possible future of the radical sustainability discourses. / Master of Arts

published_or_final_version / China Area Studies / Master / Master of Arts

This study investigates key decision-makers' perceptions of sustainable sea fisheries in Namibia, and explores the possibilities for the future development of education programmes that focus on "sustainability" in the fisheries sector. The concept of "sustainability" and its application in the context of a biological resource, namely sea fisheries, was examined. A series of questions were raised concerning sustainable fisheries: intergenerational implications of patterns of resource use, equity concerns, time horizons, and the protection of marine biodiveristy, among others. Examples from the Namibian and the European Community Sea Fisheries Industries are used to illustrate these issues. In spite of divergent views on what "sustainability" means, the study leads to certain findings that have broader policy implications. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews undertaken with six (6) key decision-makers in the Sea Fisheries Industry of Namibia, then analysed and assessed. The perceptions of key decisionmakers were determined by qualitative analysis in the interpretive paradigm. The data indicated some agreement in terms of what the key decision-makers think about the sustainable utilisation of the fisherjes resources. It is almost impossible to have complete agreement, because the decision-makers are from different contextual backgrounds. Those who make the decisions are more concerned about "how to manage" and those who act on the decisions put more emphasis on economic self-interest. Although the interviewees' perceptions of sustainable fisheries was imperfect, there was broad support for its aims and principles. The study also revealed that the achievement of sustainable sea fisheries development in Wamibia will require broader educational and public awareness programmes to enhance participation in decision-making debates. Formal and informal marine environmental education, from the perspective of "Responsible Fishing" has been emphasised.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research project has been purposed at shedding light and bringing clarity and practical resolution to the ethical dilemma brought about by seemingly incompatible principles and value positions associated with the two contentious issues: social development and nature conservation. In view of exposing the contentions between the two above-mentioned value positions, this project has pitted anthropocentrism against biocen trism / ecocen trism. However, as alluded to in this research, many people in developing countries, South Africa included, are victims of poverty and hunger which need redress. Unfortunately the alleviation of the same has been made possible through ruthless exploitation and maximum expansion of natural resources and in the process, the environment suffered much. However, with social development, the natural environment is often sacrificed and conversely with the protection and preservation of nature, man is then condemned to destitution. With the introduction and the case expose forming the introduction of this research project in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 is devoted to the research methodology used throughout this project. Also, given the problem statement, endeavours to search for answers to the central questions are outlined. An analysis of the case study is also made in this chapter. Chapter 3 deals with the weighing of the classical dilemmas namely: anthropocentrism versus biocentrism / ecocentrism and this further entails the notion of justice versus conservation pertaining the case in point. These classical dilemmas are put into critical perspective in Chapter 4 wherein monistic value approaches are exposed in terms of their failures. Precisely, the either-or choices following from pure theoretical principles are put into question with reference to the case under discussion. An alternative, namely the pragmatic approach, which maintains a multiplicity of values, is hereby brought into play. Chapter 5 entails a critical appraisal of the decision to be taken by the Makhado Municipality Council with regard to the development of the shopping complex or the protection of the indigenous tree sanctuary. In conclusion, recommendations and suggestions are stated within the context of the case in point. However, it is imperative to note that these recommendations and suggestions should be read in conjunction with one another, and not in isolation from one another. Furthermore, the same should not in anyway be indiscriminately used as a universal standard in any similar or related case. Further research on this ethical debate is encouraged. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsingsprojek is om helderheid en 'n praktiese oplossing te kry met betrekking tot die etiese dilemma wat voortspruit uit die oeriskynlik onversoenbare beginsels en waardeposisies wat geassosieer word met twee omstrede kwessies, naamlik sosiale ontwikkeling en natuurbewaring. Met die oog daarop om die kwelpunte rondom bogenoemde twee waardeposisies aan die lig te bring, stel hierdie projek antroposentrisme teenoor biosentrisme / ekosentrisme. Baie mense in ontwikkelende lande, insluitend Suid-Afrika, IS slagoffers van armoede en hongersnood, soos aangedui word in die loop van hierdie navorsing. Hierdie situasie noodsaak regs telling. Pogings om verligting te bring in hierdie verband, lei egter tot die genadelose eksploitasie en maksimum ontwikkeling van natuurlike hulpbronne. In hierdie proses word die omgewing ernstig beskadig. Die ongelukkige toedrag van sake is dus dat sosiale ontwikkeling dikwels geskied ten koste van die omgewing, terwyl die beskerming en bewaring van die omgewing op sy beurt dikwels die mens behoeftig laat. Hoofstuk 1 van hierdie navorsingsprojek bevat 'n inleiding en beskrywing van die geval onder bespreking, terwyl Hoofstuk 2 gewy word aan die navorsingsmetodologie wat in hierdie projek gebruik word. Dit bevat ook 'n skets van die pogings om antwoorde te soek op die sentrale vrae van die probleemstelling, en 'n analise van die gevallestudie. In Hoofstuk 3 word die klassieke dilemmas wat verband hou met die betrokke probleem opgeweeg, naamlik antroposentrisme teenoor biosentrismej ekosentrisme, en die idee van geregtigheid teenoor die idee van bewaring. Bogenoemde klassieke dilemmas word in 'n kritiese lig beskou in Hoofstuk 4 deurdat die tekortkominge van monistiese waardebenaderings uitgewys word. Die 6f-6f keuses wat volg uit suiwer teoretiese beginsels word bevraagteken met verwysing na die geval onder bespreking. 'n Pleidooi word uiteindelik gelewer vir 'n alternatiewe pragmatiese benadering wat eerder 'n veelheid van waardes betrek. Hoofstuk 5 bevat 'n kritiese beoordeling van die keuse wat die Makhado Munisipaliteitsraad moet maak tussen die ontwikkeling van 'n winkelkompleks of die beskerming van 'n inheemse boomreservaat. Ter afsluiting word aanbevelings en voorstelle gemaak in verband met die kwessie onder bespreking. Dit is egter belangrik om daarop te let dat hierdie aanbevelings en voorstelle nie apart van mekaar beskou moet word nie, maar eerder saam gelees moet word. Dit is verder ook belangrik dat die aanbevelings en voorstelle wat met betrekking tot hierdie geval gemaak word nie sonder meer gebruik moet word as 'n universele standaard vir soortgelyke of verwante gevalle nie. Verdere navorsing oor hierdie etiese debat word aangemoedig.

No description available.

Luo Bei. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-52). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Backgrounds and Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Backgrounds of China's environment problems --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2 --- Literature review --- p.7 / Chapter 3. --- Econometric Strategy --- p.10 / Chapter 4. --- Data and Variables --- p.11 / Chapter 5. --- Empirical Results --- p.14 / Chapter 5.1 --- City Part --- p.14 / Chapter 5.2 --- Province emission and complaints received --- p.15 / Chapter 5.3 --- Discussion about the results --- p.23 / Chapter 6. --- Conclusion --- p.23 / Tables --- p.25 / Reference --- p.48

近年来，中国的农村建设飞速发展，农村的建筑格局和生活方式也发生了很大变化。与此同时，中国的建成环境评估体系尚处在起步阶段。面对大规模的新农村建设对农村人居环境产生的巨大冲击，缺乏一个完善的建成环境评估体系已经成为农村建设日益突出的问题。 / 本研究梳理了西南农村地区可持续建筑环境评估的必要性、操作策略和评估框架。通过对国内外可持续发展理论、可持续建筑理论和建筑环境评估体系理论的研究，以及对西南农村地区现状的调查分析，本研究建立起了一套适用于西南贫困农村地区的建成环境可持续性评估框架。它包括评估的目的、范围、项目指标、运作方式等内容。评估系统的项目和指标分涵盖了可持续发展的环境、社会和经济三个方面，这些项目和指标充分强调了西南贫困农村地区的特点，以区别于一般的城市建筑评估体系。此外，本研究对三个不同的村落进行了案例分析，将不同的建筑评估体系对案例的评估结果进行了比较，以考察不同评估体系对西南贫困农村地区的适应性和灵敏度。分析结果显示，西南农村地区建筑环境可持续性评估体系框架最能充分适应当地实际情况，对案例做出全面的评价。 / 研究结果表明，西南贫困农村地区建成环境可持续性评估体系框架结合了可持续发展、可持续建筑理论和西南贫困农村地区的实际情况，为西南贫困农村地区的可持续建筑提供了一个全面的认识和评估的框架。它是西南贫困农村地区可持续建筑评价体系的雏形，也为西南贫困农村的可持续建设发展提供了指导和思路。 / 本研究主要有以下几点成果： / -本研究为中国西南贫困农村地区的建成环境可持续性评估提供了一个全面的理解和认识。与中国目前常规的农村发展模式不同的是，本研究强调了农村的内源性发展模式。 / -本研究建立了中国西南贫困农村地区的建成环境可持续性评估体系框架。该框架可以作为更加具体的评估标准和评估工具的建立基础。 / -对中国西南贫困农村地区的建成环境可持续性评估体系的认识和框架建立，亦可作为农村建设的设计指导依据。 / 本研究的局限性： / -本研究只建立了评估系统的框架，具体的定量评价指标、权重体系和评分方法还未建立。本研究的成果还不能作为评估工具使用。 / -本研究主要针对的是中国西南贫困农村地区。中国各地农村的自然环境和社会发展条件都各不相同，本研究不能覆盖所有的中国农村地区。 / In recent years, China’s rural areas developed rapidly, the settlement pattern and lifestyle in rural areas are also changing rapidly. At the same time, the development of built environmental assessment system in China is still in the initial stage. In the face of tremendous impact on rural settlement environment from the massive New Countryside Construction, the lack of comprehensive built environmental assessment system has become an increasingly prominent issue. / This study furthers the field by clarifying the necessity, strategies and framework of built environmental sustainability assessment in poor rural areas of Southwest China. This study reviewed the sustainable development theories, sustainable architecture theories and built environmental assessment methods in China and abroad; investigated the current situation and problems of village development and built environmental construction in poor rural areas of Southwest China. Based on these theories and context, a framework of rural built environmental sustainability assessment system including the assessment purpose, scope, issues and indicators were established. This framework covers environmental, social, and economic aspects. It provided the main issues and features of built environmental sustainability of poor rural areas of Southwest China which are quite different from urban areas. Then, three different cases were analyzed with different building environmental assessment system. Analysis outcomes were compared and discussed to investigate the applicability and sensitivity of existing assessment systems and the rural built environmental sustainability assessment system established by this study. The result shows that the framework of rural built environmental sustainability assessment system is more suitable for poor rural areas of Southwest China than other existing assessment systems. / Establishing a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development model and assessment system of rural areas is one of the significant strategies to solve the contradiction and problems between rural construction and sustainable development in poor rural areas of Southwest China. Furthermore, the promotion of sustainable rural development is to solve the much larger, longer-term problem of villagers leaving and abandoning their villages to move to the city in search of better living conditions. It is believed that a way to solve the problem is to raise the standard of the villages to a higher level of amenity and comfort for villagers and make it affordable and sustainable for them. / There are several main contributions of this study: / This study provided a comprehensive understanding of built environment sustainability of poor rural areas of Southwest China. Different from conventional rural development model in China, this study emphasizes the endogenous development model of rural areas. / This study established a framework of built environmental sustainability assessment system of poor rural areas of Southwest China. A more specific and detailed standard or rating tool can be developed based on this framework. / The understanding and assessment framework of built environmental sustainability of poor rural areas of Southwest China also can be used as a reference for the design and construction of rural built environment. / There are some limitations in this study: / This study only established the framework of the assessment system. The specific quantitative evaluation criteria have not been developed yet. And the weighting and rating method is also not yet been established. Therefore it is still can’t be used as a rating tool. / This study is mainly focusing on the poor rural areas of Southwest China. The natural and social conditions of different areas of rural China are quite different from each other. This study cannot cover all of the rural areas of China. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Wan, Li. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-213). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.v / CONTENTS --- p.vi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.ix / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Context and problems --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Objectives and significance --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Methodology --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Research scope and definitions --- p.7 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW AND HYPOTHESIS --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1 --- Sustainability and building environmental assessment --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Sustainable development and sustainability --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Sustainable architecture and approaches --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Ecovillage and sustainable communities --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Building environmental assessment method --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Rural construction and rural built environmental assessment --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Rural development and countryside construction --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Rural Built environmental sustainability assessment --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3 --- Hypothesis of this study --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4 --- Summary and conclusions --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- CONTEXT OF SOUTHWEST RURAL CHINA AND ITS INSPIRATION --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1 --- Context of southwest rural China --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Natural environment --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Social conditions --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2 --- Sustainable development of southwest rural China --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Current situation and ecological potential of southwest rural China --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Development models and sustainable construction practice in southwest rural China --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3 --- Inspiration to built environmental sustainability assessment --- p.60 / Chapter 3.4 --- Summary and conclusions --- p.63 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- FRAMEWORK OF BUILT ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM OF POOR RURAL AREAS OF SOUTHWEST CHINA --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1 --- Rural Built Environmental Sustainability Assessment System (RBESAS) --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Aims of assessment --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Scope of assessment --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Structure and levels of the system --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2 --- Self-reliance capability issues and indicators --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Issue 1: Land and resources conservation --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Issue 2: Waste management --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Issue 3: Pollution control --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Issue 4: Food self-reliance --- p.74 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Issue 5: Water self-reliance --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Issue 6: Housing self-reliance --- p.82 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Issue 7: Safety and security --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Issue 8: Health and well-being --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- Issue 9: Energy self-reliance --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2.10 --- Issue 10: Economic self-reliance --- p.103 / Chapter 4.3 --- Development capability issues and indicators --- p.104 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Issue 11: Sustainable landscaping --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Issue 12: Sustainable agriculture --- p.107 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Issue 13: Culture and context --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Issue 14: Inclusiveness and participation --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Issue 15: Education and information --- p.114 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary of issues of the assessment system --- p.115 / Chapter 4.5 --- Evaluation and assessment output --- p.117 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Quantitative and qualitative evaluation --- p.118 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- User-friendly for rural area --- p.118 / Chapter 4.6 --- Stakeholders and operation --- p.120 / Chapter 4.7 --- Summary and conclusions --- p.122 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- CASE STUDY --- p.124 / Chapter 5.1 --- Case I: Liudou Village --- p.126 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Project description --- p.126 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Analysis --- p.129 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Discussion --- p.150 / Chapter 5.2 --- Case II: Group 3 of Ma'anqiao Village --- p.151 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Project description --- p.151 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Analysis --- p.154 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Discussion --- p.172 / Chapter 5.3 --- Case III: Group 2 of Ma'anqiao Village --- p.172 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Project description --- p.172 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Analysis --- p.180 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Discussion --- p.197 / Chapter 5.4 --- Summary and conclusions --- p.197 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS --- p.200 / Chapter 6.1 --- Research summary --- p.200 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Fundamental research --- p.200 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Establishment of the framework of RBESAS --- p.201 / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Case study --- p.204 / Chapter 6.2 --- Conclusion and discussion --- p.204 / Chapter 6.3 --- Research contributions and limitations --- p.205 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Research contributions --- p.205 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Research limitations --- p.206 / Chapter 6.4 --- Needs for further research --- p.206 / REFERENCE --- p.207

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, an intentional community of roughly 70 members in Northeastern Missouri, is working to create societal change through radical sustainable living practices and creation of a culture of eco-friendly and feminist norms. Members agree to abide by a set of ecological covenants and sustainability guidelines, committing to practices such as using only sustainably generated electricity, and no use or storage of personally owned vehicles on community property. Situated within the context of a sustainability study, this thesis explores how Dancing Rabbit is creating a more socially and ecologically just culture and how this lifestyle affects happiness and well-being.