Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo verificar se as políticas e as ações governamentais relacionadas às questões socioambientais guardam uma associação com o desempenho econômico e socioambiental das empresas goianas de beneficiamento e industrialização de leite e derivados. Políticas Públicas Ambientais e ações governamentais são elementos que, direta ou indiretamente, podem exercer influência no desempenho empresarial econômico e socioambiental das firmas. O estado da arte alicerça-se nas fronteiras do conhecimento científico e das bases epistemológicas que dão suporte às abordagens da ciência da natureza, das ciências sociais aplicadas e suas especialidades para compreensão dos fenômenos ligados ao desenvolvimento empresarial econômico e socioambiental, dimensionados a partir de política pública ambiental e ações governamentais. Neste contexto, desenhou-se o modelo conceitual denominado política socioambiental e o desempenho econômico e socioambiental das firmas, organizado e operacionalizado, mediante o conjunto de variáveis relacionadas às condicionantes de políticas públicas e de desempenho econômico e socioambiental. A estrutura lógica do instrumento de pesquisa foi concebida abrangendo questionamentos sobre a legislação ambiental, instrumentos institucionais de regulação direta no mercado; responsabilidade por danos ambientais; acordos internacionais e regionais socioambientais; marketing ambiental, desempenho econômico, ambiental e social. O instrumento de investigação foi aplicado em 118 empresas fiscalizadas pelo Sistema de Inspeção Federal SIF e sujeitas à aplicação da resolução nº 237/97, do Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente. Os dados recolhidos foram submetidos a procedimentos estatístico que lhes atestam sua consistência. As hipóteses experimentais da pesquisa foram todas aceitas, após aplicação do teste de significância, medido pela estatística F. Os dados da pesquisa empírica foram submetidos à análise da estatística descritiva e inferencial, compreendendo análise de frequência relativa percentual, coeficiente de variação de Pearson e de correlação linear múltipla. À luz das evidências apresentadas, embasada na síntese da pesquisa empírica, conclui-se que políticas públicas e ações govenamentais relacionadas às questões ambientais guardam, sim, uma associação com o resultado de desempenho empresarial econômico e sociambiental das empresas do setor lácteo de Goiás. Neste contexto, como um tema de fronteira, esta pesquisa, ao abordar sobre a influência das políticas ambientais no desempenho empresarial econômico e socioambiental do setor de leite e derivados de Goiás, dá uma contribuição acadêmica e, também, ao segmento empresarial, com vistas a ampliar futuras discussões sobre a temática de Meio Ambiente. / This research aims to determine whether policies and government actions related to social and environmental issues keep an association with the economic performance and environmental impact of companies in the dairy sector in Goiás. Environmental public policies and government actions are elements that directly and indirectly can influence on economic and socio-environmental performance of the companies. The state of the art is founded on the frontier of scientific knowledge and epistemological foundations that are supporting the approaches of natural science, social science and applied their specialties to understand the phenomena related to economic and socio-environmental performance of the companies, scaled from environmental public policy and governmental actions. In this context, it drew up the conceptual model called the political and socio-environmental policy and socio-economic performance of firms, organized and executed by the set of variables related to the constraints of public policy and economic and socio-environmental performance economic and socio-environmental performance. The logical structure of the research instrument was designed covering questions on environmental legislation, institutional instruments of direct regulation on the market; responsibility for environmental damage, international agreements and regional organizations; marketing, economic, environmental and social. This research tool was applied to 118 companies audited by the Federal Inspection System SIF and subject to the implementation of Resolution No. 237/97 of the National Council on the Environment. The data collected were subjected to statistical procedures that they attest to its consistency. The experimental research hypotheses were all accepted, after applying the significance test, measured by the F statistic. The empirical survey data were subjected to analysis of descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency analysis on percentage, coefficient of variation of Pearson and multiple linear correlation. In light of the evidences presented, based on the synthesis of empirical research, we can concluded that public policies and government actions related to environmental issues keep an action associated with the outcome of economic and socio-environmental performance of the companies of the dairy sector in Goiás. In this context, as a matter of the border, this research when addressing the influence of environmental policies on economic and socio-environmental performance of the companies of the dairy sector in Goiás gives an academic contribution, and also to the corporate segment, in order to expand further discussions on the subject of the environment.

Submitted by Vanessa Nunes (vnunes) on 2015-03-30T19:19:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 FabianoChitolina.pdf: 1452813 bytes, checksum: 14fdc085bfa149405f3eaf042026ebe1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-30T19:19:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FabianoChitolina.pdf: 1452813 bytes, checksum: 14fdc085bfa149405f3eaf042026ebe1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Nenhuma / Não há consenso se e como, programas sócios ambientais criam valor para o acionista. Existem dificuldades em determinar este valor por ele se apresentar no longo prazo, por ser uma medida indireta ou, simplesmente, por não haver métricas de avaliação disponíveis, que respondam claramente essa questão. Diante dessa dificuldade e consequente necessidade acadêmica de avançar nesse tema, esta pesquisa busca verificar se existe relação entre a performance sócio-ambiental e os retornos econômicos. Para isso, busca-se identificar e analisar variáveis qualitativas que possam ser utilizadas como indicadoras do nível de performance sócio-ambiental das empresas, para, então, realizar testes estatísticos com o objetivo de agregar novas informações sobre essa relação no mercado brasileiro. As variáveis dependentes trabalhadas nesta pesquisa foram ROE, ROA, EBITDA, q de Tobin e o Beta 60 meses. Além disso, foi analisado se as vantagens econômicas de uma performance sócio-ambiental superior são mais relevantes para empresas manufatureiras, bem como com maior impacto ambiental. Os resultados do estudo apontam para ganhos econômicos em termos de valorização da empresa (q de Tobin aproximadamente 20% maior) e na redução do risco das empresas (beta 60 meses 9% menor). Ao mesmo tempo, não confirmaram a influência do fato da empresa ser manufatureira ou com diferentes graus de impacto ambiental. / There is no consensus to define if and how these programs create shareholder value. There are difficulties in determining this value in the long run, being an indirect measure or simply because there is no evaluation metrics available to answer this question clearly. Faced with this difficulty and the consequent need for academic progress in this subject, this research seeks to determine whether a relationship exists between the socio-environmental performance on the one hand, and economic performance on the other. To this end, this study seeks to identify and analyze qualitative proxies that can be used as an indicator of the level of socio-environmental performance of companies, then, to perform statistical tests in order to add new information about this relationship in the Brazilian market. The dependent proxies used in this research were ROE, ROA, EBITDA, Tobin's q and the Beta 60 months. In addition, we analyzed whether the economic advantages of a higher socio-environmental performance are more relevant to manufacturing companies, as well as whether they are more relevant to companies with higher environmental impact. The study results point to economic gains in terms of company valuation (Tobin's q approximately 20% higher) and in reducing the risk of companies (beta 60 months 9% lower). At the same they did not confirm any influence based on whether the company is in manufacturing or has different levels of environmental impact

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2015-10-23T15:47:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Francisco Sperotto Flores_.pdf: 437036 bytes, checksum: 48604df4848c773fbdbb73cceecc244d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-23T15:47:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Francisco Sperotto Flores_.pdf: 437036 bytes, checksum: 48604df4848c773fbdbb73cceecc244d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-18 / Nenhuma / O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o relacionamento entre a sustentabilidade e o desempenho exportador dos frigoríficos exportadores de carne bovina. Para isso, foi utilizada análise de dados em painel a partir da coleta de dados secundários das exportações de carne bovina in natura fresca ou resfriada, oriundas de diversos países, para os mercados italiano, norte-americano, holandês, francês, mexicano, japonês, alemão e para o Reino Unido, entre os anos de 2002 e 2012, totalizando uma média de 125 observações para cada país importador. A sustentabilidade dos exportadores, foi avaliada através do seu desempenho social, utilizando como proxy o Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH), e do desempenho ambiental, avaliado a partir da Poupança Líquida Ajustada (ANS). Os resultados obtidos pela análise econométrica demonstram que a dimensão social da sustentabilidade exerce uma influencia positiva sobre o desempenho exportador dos frigoríficos exportadores de carne bovina para alguns mercados, enquanto a dimensão ambiental da sustentabilidade está associada à capacidade de entrada e manutenção destas empresas no mercado internacional da carne bovina. Embora a análise utilize dados em nível de país, visto o nível elevado de concentração na indústria exportadora de carne e, ainda, que a cadeia de valor e o mercado internacional do produto são dominados por um pequeno grupo de grandes empresas com presença global, considera-se que, através da análise do comportamento do comércio entre países, seja possível inferir o comportamento do comércio da commodity em nível de firma. / The purpose of this study is evaluating the relationship between sustainability and the export performance of beef exporters. It is used panel data analysis form the collection of secondary data of exports of fresh or chilled beef with regard to Italy, Dutch, French, Mexican, Japanese, German and the UK between the years 2002 and 2012, totaling an average of 125 observations for each importing country. The sustainability of exporters was evaluated through its social performance, using as proxy the Human Development Index (HDI), and environmental performance, evaluated from the Net Adjusted Savings (ANS). The results obtained by econometric analysis show that the social dimension of sustainability has a positive influence on the export performance of refrigerators exporters of beef, while the environmental dimension of sustainability is associated with the input capacity and maintenance of these companies in the international beef market. Although the analysis uses data at the country level, given the hight concentration level in the meat export industry and also that value chain and the beef international market are dominated by a small group of large companies with global presence, it is considered that, by analyzing the behavior of trade between countries, it is possible to infer the commodity trading behavior at firm level.

O estudo em microescala sobre a relação entre a forma arquitetônico-urbana e o meio ambiente constitui o objetivo desta pesquisa. Parte-se da hipótese de que existem formas arquitetônico-urbanas mais apropriadas do que as previstas pela legislação urbana e edilícia para o alcance do melhor desempenho ambiental, sendo possível avaliar quais as composições mais adequadas segundo os condicionantes locais. Nesse contexto, apresenta-se como objeto de estudo o recorte espacial de uma área urbana com alta densidade construída em Florianópolis-SC, que constitui a referência para analisar o impacto ambiental gerado pela forma arquitetônico-urbana e o resultado de seu desempenho final. Para essa avaliação, foram considerados os fatores ambientais associados com o desempenho térmico, luminoso e acústico do espaço urbano e arquitetônico, assim como algumas questões sobre a qualidade ambiental em escala local. A metodologia utiliza dados quantitativos e qualitativos obtidos em campo e em trabalhos de gabinete, por meio das seguintes etapas: 1. Exploratória (investigação bibliográfica, documental e infográfica); 2. Indutiva experimental (levantamento em campo de informações microclimáticas, individuais e subjetivas) e 3. Dedutiva computacional (simulação de modelos preditivos). A estrutura do trabalho está organizada para demonstrar como o objeto de pesquisa foi compreendido e como podem ser desenvolvidos os estudos nessa temática, apresentando primeiramente os condicionantes ambientais (paisagem natural e clima local) e a forma arquitetônico-urbana considerada, para posteriormente desenvolver a associação entre os temas principais – arquitetura e ambiente. A análise considera a percepção subjetiva da autora, a partir da observação de fragmentos do espaço arquitetônico-urbano, pertencentes a um todo. O trabalho comprova a hipótese inicial, na medida em que recomenda proposições de desenho arquitetônico e urbano para o caso estudado, tendo por base os critérios de desempenho ambiental. Além disso, estimula a discussão, o interesse e o conhecimento sobre o tema e corrobora a urgência de incorporação dos estudos ambientais no planejamento e nas propostas de desenho arquitetônico e urbano. / The study in microscale of the relationship between the architectural-urban form and the environment is the goal of this research. It starts with the hypothesis that there are more appropriate architectural-urban forms than those provided by the urban and construction legislation to achieve the best environmental performance, making possible to assess what are the most suitable compositions according to the local conditions. In this context, it is presented as a study object an urban area with high density built in Florianópolis-SC, which is the reference to analyze the environmental impact generated by the architectural-urban form and the result of their final performance. For this evaluation, it was considered the environmental factors associated with the heat, light and acoustic performance of urban and architectural space, as well as some features of the local environmental quality. The methodology uses quantitative and qualitative data obtained in loco and by the office work, through the following steps: 1. Exploratory (bibliographic, documentary and infographic research); 2. Experimental inductive (field measurements and structured interviews) and 3. Computational deductive (simulation of predictive models). The structure of the work demonstrates how the research object was understood and how can be developed studies in this subject, first presenting the environmental conditions (natural landscape and climate) and the architectural-urban form considered to further develop the association among the main themes - architecture and environment. The analysis considers the subjective perception of the author, from the observation of fragments of architecturalurban space, belonging to a whole. The work confirms the initial hypothesis, according as recommends architectural and urban design propositions for the case study, based on the environmental performance criteria. In addition, it stimulates discussion, interest and knowledge on the topic and confirms the urgent incorporation of environmental studies in the urban planning and in the architectural design proposals.

A pesquisa parte-se da hipótese de que critérios quantitativos e qualitativos de desempenho ambiental são definidores da expressão formal da arquitetura paramétrica do edifício alto. Pretende-se comprová-la com a criação e a aplicação de um método de projeto arquitetônico que relacione avaliação paramétrica de desempenho ambiental e a geração da forma. Essa hipótese surgiu da utilização sem critérios claros e precisos de desempenho ambiental na geração das formas dos edifícios altos, e vem de encontro ao conceito contemporâneo de conforto, da adaptação, das respostas específicas. O objetivo geral do trabalho é propor uma metodologia de projeto arquitetônico que relacione avaliação paramétrica de desempenho ambiental com critérios qualitativos e quantitativos e a geração da forma. Ou seja, compreender como os critérios de desempenho ambiental podem informar a geração da forma utilizando para isso, ferramentas paramétricas como no caso do Rhinoceros e o seu plug-in Grasshopper. A pesquisa apresenta os edifícios ícones de desempenho ambiental, discutindo os parâmetros de projeto, o desempenho real e as novas questões do conforto adaptativo. Além disso, são apresentados os critérios de desempenho utilizados para informar a metodologia de projeto paramétrico de geração da forma. Discute-se o papel da ventilação natural e das áreas envidraçadas no projeto do edifício alto. A questão do projeto paramétrico e generativo é introduzida, apresentando-se os principais conceitos, as tecnologias, os processos e as ferramentas. Por fim, o método resulta em um conjunto de diretrizes de projeto e critérios de desempenho, desenvolvidos para a formulação dessa proposta de avaliação, podendo ser visualizado, no final, em um modelo teórico do edifício alto para a cidade de São Paulo. Os produtos da tese foram: (I) critérios qualitativos e quantitativos de desempenho ambiental do edifício alto, (II) metodologia de projeto paramétrico informada por critérios ambientais, (III) solução projetual para edifícios de escritórios que utilizem ventilação e iluminação natural como estratégia principal para atingir o conforto dos usuários e reduzir o consumo de energia. / The research starts from the hypothesis that quantitative and qualitative criteria for the environmental performance are defining the formal expression of parametric architecture of tall building. We intend to prove it with the creation and implementation of a method for architectural design that relates parametric evaluation of environmental performance and the generation of form. This hypothesis arose from the use without clear and precise criteria of the environmental performance in form generating of tal buildings, and comes against the contemporary concept of comfort, the adaptation of specific responses. The general objective of this work is to propose an architectural design methodology that relates parametric evaluation of environmental performance with qualitative and quantitative criteria and the generation of form. Understand how environmental performance criteria can inform the generation of form using, parametric tools as the Rhinoceros and its plug-in Grasshopper. The research presents icons of environmental performance buildings, discussing the design parameters, real performance and new issues of adaptive comfort. Moreover, the performance criteria used to inform the methodology of parametric design generation are presented. It discusses the role of natural ventilation and glazed areas in the design of tal building. The issue of parametric and generative design is introduced, presenting key concepts, technologies, processes and tools. Finally, the method results in a set of design guidelines and performance criteria developed to the formulation of this evaluation proposal, and could be viewed at the end, in a theoretical model of the tall building to the city of São Paulo. The products of the thesis were: (I) qualitative and quantitative criteria for environmental performance of tall building (II) parametric design methodology informed by environmental criteria, (III) design solution for office buildings using natural ventilation and daylight as the main strategy to achieve the user comfort and reduce energy consumption.

A pesquisa parte-se da hipótese de que critérios quantitativos e qualitativos de desempenho ambiental são definidores da expressão formal da arquitetura paramétrica do edifício alto. Pretende-se comprová-la com a criação e a aplicação de um método de projeto arquitetônico que relacione avaliação paramétrica de desempenho ambiental e a geração da forma. Essa hipótese surgiu da utilização sem critérios claros e precisos de desempenho ambiental na geração das formas dos edifícios altos, e vem de encontro ao conceito contemporâneo de conforto, da adaptação, das respostas específicas. O objetivo geral do trabalho é propor uma metodologia de projeto arquitetônico que relacione avaliação paramétrica de desempenho ambiental com critérios qualitativos e quantitativos e a geração da forma. Ou seja, compreender como os critérios de desempenho ambiental podem informar a geração da forma utilizando para isso, ferramentas paramétricas como no caso do Rhinoceros e o seu plug-in Grasshopper. A pesquisa apresenta os edifícios ícones de desempenho ambiental, discutindo os parâmetros de projeto, o desempenho real e as novas questões do conforto adaptativo. Além disso, são apresentados os critérios de desempenho utilizados para informar a metodologia de projeto paramétrico de geração da forma. Discute-se o papel da ventilação natural e das áreas envidraçadas no projeto do edifício alto. A questão do projeto paramétrico e generativo é introduzida, apresentando-se os principais conceitos, as tecnologias, os processos e as ferramentas. Por fim, o método resulta em um conjunto de diretrizes de projeto e critérios de desempenho, desenvolvidos para a formulação dessa proposta de avaliação, podendo ser visualizado, no final, em um modelo teórico do edifício alto para a cidade de São Paulo. Os produtos da tese foram: (I) critérios qualitativos e quantitativos de desempenho ambiental do edifício alto, (II) metodologia de projeto paramétrico informada por critérios ambientais, (III) solução projetual para edifícios de escritórios que utilizem ventilação e iluminação natural como estratégia principal para atingir o conforto dos usuários e reduzir o consumo de energia. / The research starts from the hypothesis that quantitative and qualitative criteria for the environmental performance are defining the formal expression of parametric architecture of tall building. We intend to prove it with the creation and implementation of a method for architectural design that relates parametric evaluation of environmental performance and the generation of form. This hypothesis arose from the use without clear and precise criteria of the environmental performance in form generating of tal buildings, and comes against the contemporary concept of comfort, the adaptation of specific responses. The general objective of this work is to propose an architectural design methodology that relates parametric evaluation of environmental performance with qualitative and quantitative criteria and the generation of form. Understand how environmental performance criteria can inform the generation of form using, parametric tools as the Rhinoceros and its plug-in Grasshopper. The research presents icons of environmental performance buildings, discussing the design parameters, real performance and new issues of adaptive comfort. Moreover, the performance criteria used to inform the methodology of parametric design generation are presented. It discusses the role of natural ventilation and glazed areas in the design of tal building. The issue of parametric and generative design is introduced, presenting key concepts, technologies, processes and tools. Finally, the method results in a set of design guidelines and performance criteria developed to the formulation of this evaluation proposal, and could be viewed at the end, in a theoretical model of the tall building to the city of São Paulo. The products of the thesis were: (I) qualitative and quantitative criteria for environmental performance of tall building (II) parametric design methodology informed by environmental criteria, (III) design solution for office buildings using natural ventilation and daylight as the main strategy to achieve the user comfort and reduce energy consumption.

"Umweltaspekte und ihre Wertrelevanz für die Unternehmen: Eine Zusammenfassung existierender empirischer Forschungsergebnisse!" (diese Version ist nicht mehr aktuell! 03.04.2007) The management of the value of a firm requires the identification of important value drivers. The main objective of the paper is to find out whether value based management (e.g. shareholder value oriented management) has to take into account environmental aspects. In order to answer this question, the paper will determine whether there is an empirically proven relationship between the economic and environmental performance of companies. The paper is divided into three main parts: The development of a basic theory, the examination of existing empirical results and the concluding integration of theory with empirical results. Basic Theory: To build a basis, the paper first specifies the theoretical connection between economic and environmental performance of companies. Economic performance (e.g. definable by financial statement and/or capital market data) and environmental performance (e.g. definable by operational and strategic data) are linked in a model. Based on the model the influence of environmental aspects on corporate value is examined resulting in seven hypotheses for the relationship of environmental and economic performance. Empirical Results: In order to test the developed theoretical relation, empirical studies are identified and assessed, with regard to the relationship between economic and environmental performance. The research results in 122 studies from all over the world, which are subject to further investigation. The analyzing process includes different steps. First, the studies are divided and reviewed as far as their empirical method and soundness are concerned. Mainly they can be differentiated in regression, event and portfolio studies. Furthermore the study categorizes the environmental and economic variables used in the analyzed studies. Economic measures are divided into the following categories: market based measures (e.g. stock price), accounting based measures (e.g. RoA), accounting and market based measures (e.g. Tobins q), perceived performance measures (i.e. derived from questionnaires) and miscellaneous measures (e.g. shadow prices). Environmental measures on the other hand are divided into the seven categories: strategic environmental performance, operational environmental performance, questionnaires, rating/ranking, events, environmental disclosure and mutual funds. The next step identifies the empirical result of every study as well as important determinants (e.g. the distinguished environmental and economic categories) of the results. The objective is to show whether general patterns for the existence of different results can be defined. Overall it can be shown that about 40% of all studies report a significant positive relationship between economic and environmental performance, contrary to only 11% reporting significant negative results. Furthermore, in order to assess the special role of environmental aspects as value drivers 23 suitable studies are analyzed on the basis of Rappaport?s shareholder network. Results provide an even stronger evidence for the value creating role of environmental aspects. Conclusion: Finally we can detect statistically proven environmental value drivers combining theoretical and empirical research. At the same time, the empirical methods are also evaluated, especially with regard to there ability to provide useful support for the development and examination of the theoretical research. Overall it seems to the authors that the whole research on the topic runs parallel and is not combined. There are only a few studies who are built on already recognized relations or which try the confirm such relations. Based on these cornerstones, requirements for further empirical research are identified and specified.

No description available.

The management of the value of a firm requires the identification of important value drivers. The main objective of the paper is to find out whether value based management (e.g. shareholder value oriented management) has to take into account environmental aspects. In order to answer this question, the paper will determine whether there is an empirically proven relationship between the economic and environmental performance of companies. The paper is divided into three main parts: The development of a basic theory, the examination of existing empirical results and the concluding integration of theory with empirical results. Basic Theory: To build a basis, the paper first specifies the theoretical connection between economic and environmental performance of companies. Economic performance (e.g. definable by financial statement and/or capital market data) and environmental performance (e.g. definable by operational and strategic data) are linked in a model. Based on the model the influence of environmental aspects on corporate value is examined resulting in seven hypotheses for the relationship of environmental and economic performance. Empirical Results: In order to test the developed theoretical relation, empirical studies are identified and assessed, with regard to the relationship between economic and environmental performance. The research results in 122 studies from all over the world, which are subject to further investigation. The analyzing process includes different steps. First, the studies are divided and reviewed as far as their empirical method and soundness are concerned. Mainly they can be differentiated in regression, event and portfolio studies. Furthermore the study categorizes the environmental and economic variables used in the analyzed studies. Economic measures are divided into the following categories: market based measures (e.g. stock price), accounting based measures (e.g. RoA), accounting and market based measures (e.g. Tobins q), perceived performance measures (i.e. derived from questionnaires) and miscellaneous measures (e.g. shadow prices). Environmental measures on the other hand are divided into the seven categories: strategic environmental performance, operational environmental performance, questionnaires, rating/ranking, events, environmental disclosure and mutual funds. The next step identifies the empirical result of every study as well as important determinants (e.g. the distinguished environmental and economic categories) of the results. The objective is to show whether general patterns for the existence of different results can be defined. Overall it can be shown that about 40% of all studies report a significant positive relationship between economic and environmental performance, contrary to only 11% reporting significant negative results. Furthermore, in order to assess the special role of environmental aspects as value drivers 23 suitable studies are analyzed on the basis of Rappaport?s shareholder network. Results provide an even stronger evidence for the value creating role of environmental aspects. Conclusion: Finally we can detect statistically proven environmental value drivers combining theoretical and empirical research. At the same time, the empirical methods are also evaluated, especially with regard to there ability to provide useful support for the development and examination of the theoretical research. Overall it seems to the authors that the whole research on the topic runs parallel and is not combined. There are only a few studies who are built on already recognized relations or which try the confirm such relations. Based on these cornerstones, requirements for further empirical research are identified and specified.

Within the twenty&ndash / first century, nearly three billion people, half of total population of the world, live in cities. It is estimated that in the forthcoming twenty&ndash / five years, two billion more people will settle in urban lands. Essentially most of these devastating changes will occur in developing countries, both in terms of the total global urban population as well as increased percentage of the individual country&rsquo / s population living in urban areas. For many developing countries, the urban population is already large. Further increases in size and rates of growth will no doubt stress already impacted environments and living quality. All cities, however, are not impacting the ecology of the world similarly. On the one hand, developed cities have mostly cope with their environmental problems regarded as traditional / concern has focused to their impacts on ecosystems as well as those larger in scale. Cities in the developing world are more concerned with other issues. However, it is not only the development level of countries but the urban planning and development tendencies of their cities impacting the environment differently should be considered, which comprehensively shows us environmental performance of urban patterns. Environmental performance basically refers to the abilities and capabilities of urban patterns to mitigate their impacts on environment and ecology of the world and to cope with the negative of all. As an indicator of environmental performance of urban patterns, ecological footprints, its reasons and long term effects should be specified as inseparable part of urban development and inevitably ecological footprints of different urban patterns and their effects on climate change should be concerned while taking planning and development decisions for urban areas. The basic purpose of the thesis is to specify the environmental performance of different urban patterns in terms of their ecological footprints through defining the relationship between implications of urban patterns and their contributions to the ecological footprint.