Persons in the Nutrition for the Elderly program in Barren River Area Development District in Kentucky and personal care residents at Lakeview Nursing Home, Morgantown, Kentucky, and Glasgow Rest Home, Glasgow, Kentucky participated I this study on a voluntary basis. The population consisted of an intact sample of sixty-eight persons: forty-six personal care residents (PC residents) and twenty-two Nutrition for the Elderly participants (NE participants). The Ne participants and Pc residents were compared to determine which received the best nutritional care. Selected parameters of nutritional assessment were compared for the two groups be means of a t test. The groups were considered to be significantly different at the 0.5 level. The PC residents were found to have significantly higher intakes of energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and riboflavin. The NE participants were found to have a significantly higher percent intake of protein. The mean weight of the NE participants was significantly higher than the PC residents. However, the PC residents were found to have a significantly higher mean kcaloric intake. PC residents had a higher mean intake of niacin, vitamin C, and percent intake of fat than the NE participants, but not significantly higher. The NE participants had a slightly higher percent intake of carbohydrate, than the PC residents. However, the difference was not significant. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the PC residents had a higher nutritional intake than the NE participants.

Groundwater sensitivity (Ray and O'dell 1993 a) refers to the inherent ease with which groundwater can be contaminated based on hydrogeologic characteristics. We have developed digital methods for identifying areas of varying groundwater sensitivity for a ten county area of south-central Kentucky relevant to a scale of 1: 24,000. The study area includes extensive limestone karst sinkhole plains, with groundwater that is generally extremely sensitive to contamination. Digitally Vectorized Geologic Quadrangles (DVGQs) were combined with elevation data to both identify hydrogeologic groundwater sensitivity regions and to identify zones of "high risk runoff where contaminants could be transported in runoff from less sensitive to higher sensitivity (particularly karst) areas. This analysis was limited to existing, available digital data sources. While future work will fine-tune these maps with additional layers of data (soils for example) as digital data become available, using DVGQs this method is allowing a relatively rapid assessment of groundwater sensitivity for Kentucky at a larger scale than previously available.

With protective gates and guard booths restricting access to their entrances, master-planned gated communities have become a dominant form of suburban development throughout much of the country. Many home builders, developers, and real estate companies promote gated communities as a developmental step towards the creation of a real-life utopia. However, many academics, like Karina Landman and Martin Schonteich (2002), argue that their existence simply marks a new chapter in the fragmentation and polarization of societies all across the world. This study used a mixed methods approach to analyze the demographic makeup of individuals living in gated communities in New Tampa, Florida, as well as the different socio-economic motivations and perceptions which residents had regarding life within their respective community. The research questions for this study were grounded in the latest academic research and social theory surrounding gated communities, particularly the works of Setha Low (2003) and Theresa Caldeira (2000). The three gated communities investigated in this study were Arbor Greene, Hunter's Green, and Grand Hampton. Using demographic data obtained from structured questionnaires, this study found that these three communities were socio-economically homogenous with a large percentage of residents: (1) having a high median income; (2) being Caucasian; and (3) being married. Using data obtained from semi-structured interviews, this study found that the desire for security and the desire to maintain property values were the two most important considerations for residents when deciding to move into Arbor Greene, Hunter's Green, and Grand Hampton. Additionally, for most informants, the perceptions of social practices and conditions in the three gated communities within the study area coincided with the desires and needs that these residents originally had when deciding to move into their respective community. As Geography is the study of uneven social relations and spatial structures, these findings were used to fill gaps of knowledge which existed prior to this study with respect to gated communities in the Tampa Bay area, as well as to provide the discipline of geography with a more comprehensive understanding of how these communities in Tampa affect the conceptualization, negotiation, and access to space.

This thesis examples some of the factors that appear to have influenced the development of recreation and tourism in a special geographic area within the states of Washington and Oregon, The Mid• I Columbia Economic Development District. A central question this thesis attempts to answer is: Should the development of recreation and tourist activities be continued as a means of bolstering the lagging economies In the District. Up until this time, the District has been the benefactor of certain state and federal economic development programs whose primary thrust were: to cut unemployment, broaden economic bases In communities with lagging economies, and halt outward migrations of persons to urban areas.

This research provides information about Economic Development Zones (EDZ) to help the reader understand these programs. For a business owner they are able to make informed decisions about the merits of these programs and decide whether it makes sense for them to relocate their businesses to Florida’s Economic Development Zones. What most readers do not know is that these programs and the operating condition of an Economic Development Zone can offer benefits to a business owner, allowing them to reduce their operating expenses and the cost of doing business. Over the past several years, the researcher discussed foreign trade opportunities with different individuals. One of these conversations was with the sale director of a company located at Sebring Airfield and Intermodal Facility in Sebring, Florida. In this discussion, the benefits of locating a business in an Economic Development Zone, within an economically depressed rural area of Florida, was introduced. This conversation led to researching what it takes to relocate or operate a business in Economic Development Zones located in rural areas. The basic purpose in creating an EDZ through local, state, and federal government agencies is to reduce unemployment in depressed areas of the United States. This goal is accomplished by incentivizing businesses to create jobs and make capital investments in those areas. Different levels of government offer incentives to companies for relocating or expanding their businesses by creating Economic Zones. The incentives for relocating, expanding, or starting a business in an EDZ can be very lucrative. Businesses look for every opportunity to reduce their operating expenses by reducing the cost of doing business. Through incentives and tax breaks, a business could reduce its yearly operating costs making them more competitive. The goal of companies is to reduce their overhead and the government goal is to create jobs which should be mutually supportive, yet it is not the case. This lack of awareness is a major contributing factor for why these programs are not successful. From prior research conducted during a literature review, there is very little information about these programs beyond government webpages. With the rapid turnover of programs due to the political election cycle, there is little current information on the most recent EDZ except what is offered at the Federal level. One of the challenges in starting operations in an EDZ is the identification of the different stakeholders for federal, state and local programs. The lines of communication and the delineation of responsibilities between the federal government, state, and local development councils can be very confusing. In order to navigate between the different programs a business owner needs to understand how support flows down to the local agencies. An interest trend from this research, is a clear lack of awareness about these programs. Most business leaders are not aware of their local economic development office and only a few businesses had received any benefits from this organization. There is a need for better awareness about these opportunities. After reading these articles, a business leader is able to make informed decisions about the merits of these programs and decide whether it makes sense for them to relocate or expand their businesses to Florida’s Economic Development Zones.

Urbanization is increasing around the world and causes distress on the urban green areas as more and more people moves into cities. This leads to expansion and densification of the city and green areas within and around the cities run the risk of being exploited and fragmented. Thus, the rapid urbanisation process negatively affects biodiversity, as fragmentation of green areas occurs due to development of housing and roads. This results in habitat loss, causing decreasing species populations, and loss of connectivity for species dispersal. Urban green areas are important for maintenance of ecosystem services provided by nature. One ecosystem service which is considered a supportive ecosystem service is biodiversity. Biodiversity is therefore vital to preserve not only for the survival of nature, but for the survival of mankind. There are several, both international and national, objectives concerning the preservation of biodiversity. One of the Swedish Environmental Objectives is called “A Rich Diversity of Plant and Animal Life” and is directly targeting the conservation of biodiversity and had its due time in 2020. The objective was deemed not fulfilled this year, and one of the reasons mentioned was the expansion of cities, as green areas risked being exploited and fragmented. The shrinkage and isolation of natural habitats increase the risk for degradation of urban biodiversity so therefore the conclusion was to consider green areas at an early stage of the physical planning process. In this context, Green Infrastructure (GI) is the coherent network of structures, nature areas and habitats that are important for the provision of ecosystem services. GI is used when working with climate adaptation, social values, and biodiversity in urban areas. The Green Area Factor (Grönytefaktor, GYF, Swedish abbreviation) used in Sweden has been adapted to fit the current values and goals of the city of Malmö in Sweden, and later on applied in three of the biggest cities of Sweden: Malmö, Gothenburg, and Stockholm. GYF used in the City of Stockholm is a planning tool adopted for development districts and is applied during land allocation within the municipality (abbreviated GYF KVM). GYF KVM is calculated by dividing the sum of the green areas with the total area of the property. This result in a factor which should be achieved when the development on the property is completed. This thesis investigates how GYF KVM is treated by developers and the city of Stockholm during development and whether GYF KVM is a good tool for preserving the biological diversity in cities. The report also investigates whether GYF KVM is a long-term solution for strengthening the GI, especially regarding biodiversity. Methods used for answering the objectives were in the form of literature research of both scientific and grey literature, and interviews with stakeholders. The stakeholders identified were the City of Stockholm, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), consultants, C/O City and developers operating within the city of Stockholm. The thesis concluded that GYF KVM is a tool that is primarily intended to implement ecosystem services and is not only intended to strengthen biodiversity. However, GYF KVM lacks strong links to GI as the area of application is limited to the district. One solution could be for the city to implement a complementary tool for the design of green areas on public land. In this way, the planning area is expanded. Another proposal that was raised was to implement a binding national GYF model that ensures that more municipalities use GYF when planning urban environments. A national GYF model would also ensure that the additional green values are followed up and maintained. / En alltmer ökande urbanisering sker runt om i världen och i Stockholms stad växer antalet invånare för varje dag. Urbanisering innebär oftast en påfrestning på de urbana grönytorna då alltfler människor centreras kring stadskärnan vilket resulterar i expandering och förtätning av staden. Den biologiska mångfalden i den urbana miljön riskerar därmed att påverkas negativt. Grönytorna i städer är viktiga att bibehålla för att upprätthålla ekosystemtjänster som naturen ger oss. En ekosystemtjänst som klassas som en stödjande tjänst är den biologiska mångfalden. Biologisk mångfald är därför viktig att säkra inte enbart för naturens skull utan också för människans överlevnad. Det finns många mål, både internationella och nationella, kopplade till bevarande av den biologiska mångfalden. Ett av Sveriges miljökvalitetsmål berör den biologiska mångfalden och heter Ett rikt växt- och djurliv. Naturvårdsverket bedömde att målet inte skulle uppnås år 2020 och ett av hoten mot biologisk mångfald var stadsutbredning. Skälet till detta ansågs vara att grönytor riskerar att exploateras och fragmenteras, vilket ökar risken för degradering av den biologiska mångfalden i staden. Grönytor bör därför beaktas av kommunerna i ett tidigt skede i den fysiska planeringen. Grön infrastruktur (GI) är det sammanhängande nätverk av strukturer, naturområden och livsmiljöer som är viktiga för tillhandahållande av ekosystemtjänster. GI används vid arbete med klimatanpassning, sociala värden och biologisk mångfald i urbana och andra miljöer. Grönytefaktor (GYF) för allmän platsmark är ett planeringsverktyg som används vid planering av gröna ytor inom en tomt eller en fastighet som ska exploateras. För att särskilja GYF för kvartersmark från andra GYF modeller kommer GYF som används i Stockholms stad hädanefter att förkortas till GYF KVM. GYF KVM räknas ut genom att man dividerar de gröna ytorna inom en fastighet med den totala ytan. På så sätt får man en kvot, eller en faktor, som ska uppnås när fastigheten är bebyggd och färdigställd. GYF modeller används och appliceras i Sveriges tre största städer; Malmö, Göteborg och Stockholm. I dessa städer har GYF modellerats efter den specifika stadens behov och mål. I Stockholms stad ställs GYF som ett krav vid försäljning av kommunal mark till en byggherre för exploatering och är tänkt att stärka den gröna infrastrukturen i staden. Den här rapporten utreder hur byggherrar och Stockholms stad behandlar GYF KVM vid exploatering samt om GYF KVM är ett bra verktyg för att bevara den biologiska mångfalden i städer. Rapporten utreder också om GYF KVM är en långsiktig lösning för stärkande av den gröna infrastrukturen, speciellt gällande den biologiska mångfalden. Metoder som appliceras för att svara på frågorna var en litteraturstudie av vetenskapliga rapporter samt rapporter från statliga myndigheter och Stockholm stad. En intervjustudie utfördes också med berörda parter; Stockholm stad, Naturvårdsverket, konsulter, C/O City och byggherrar verksamma inom kommunen. Sammanfattningsvis kan det konstateras att GYF KVM är ett verktyg som främst är till för att implementera ekosystemtjänster, och är inte enbart till för att stärka den biologiska mångfalden. Dock saknar GYF KVM starka kopplingar till GI då planområdet för GYF KVM är begränsat. En lösning kan vara att staden implementerar ett kompletterande verktyg för utformning av grönytor på den allmänna platsmarken, så kallad GYF AP. På så sätt utökas planområdet. Ett annat förslag som togs upp var att implementera en bindande nationell GYF-modell som säkerställer att fler kommuner använder sig av GYF vid planering av urbana miljöer. En nationell GYF-modell skulle också säkerställa att de tillkommande gröna värdena följs upp och kvarstår.