The diffusion of geospatial technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Computer Aided Mass Appraisal Systems (CAMA), among Louisiana Assessors has been slowed by limited resources, a lack of communication and slow innovation decision processes. This research considers analysis of the speed of adoption, identifies the key players in decision making and the issues that influence the process based upon the theory of the diffusion of innovation developed by Dr. Everett M. Rogers (1995). The research data collected from online surveys, field visits and interviews of Louisiana Assessors between 2007 and 2013 was compared to identify factors that spurred or impeded the adoption of geospatial technologies among assessment offices. The research finds that proximity, communication, resources and the type of adopter predicts the adoption of GIS and/or CAMA by Louisiana Assessors.

Submitted by Maria Medeiros (maria.dilva1@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-07-30T14:37:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SIMONE TAVARES DA SILVA - DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGECA) 2016.pdf: 3397786 bytes, checksum: 0cb91397435440e612394d24d7999543 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-30T14:37:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SIMONE TAVARES DA SILVA - DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGECA) 2016.pdf: 3397786 bytes, checksum: 0cb91397435440e612394d24d7999543 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-28 / Capes / A região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro caracteriza-se por um baixo regime pluviométrico e uma variabilidade climática natural que se reflete em eventos extremos como secas prolongadas. O bioma Caatinga tem sofrido os impactos das mudanças ora causadas por ações humanas, ora causadas direta ou indiretamente pelas variações no clima. O zoneamento de áreas mais suscetíveis a mudanças, ou historicamente sob forte pressão por causa do crescimento das cidades e outros fatores antrópicos, podem auxiliar em ações de planejamento mais sustentáveis. Fazendo uso de dados bioclimáticos em escala global e, de dados censitários em escala regional, o presente trabalho buscou uma metodologia integradora advinda das Geotecnologias com vistas à obtenção de um indicador das áreas submetidas a forte “pressão por mudanças”, que pode ser exercida por variáveis climáticas, demográficas ou socioeconômicas na região semiárida do Nordeste brasileiro. Faz- se o uso de técnicas de sobreposição Fuzzy, além de um estimador de densidade Kernel e são considerados três vetores principais utilizando variáveis climáticas e censitárias. Um vetor climático impulsionado por variáveis climáticas (Temperatura média, Precipitação média e Sazonalidade da Precipitação); um vetor oriundo de atividade humana demográfica, impulsionado por variáveis demográficas de população (densidade populacional e população rural) e um vetor impulsionado por atividades socioeconômicas (IDHM e PIB agropecuário). A sobreposição destes três vetores permitiu a obtenção de um indicador único de áreas submetidas à forte “pressão por mudanças” na região em estudo. Os resultados apontam áreas submetidas a “forte pressão” no entorno de cidades importantes no contexto atual do semiárido nordestino, o que se reflete em alterações marcantes na forma de uso e ocupação destas regiões. Isto se configura, principalmente, por essas regiões apresentarem alta densidade populacional, acompanhada por um crescimento do PIB agropecuário nos últimos anos. / The semi-arid region of northeastern part of Brazil has low precipitation rates and high natural climate variability. It appears trough extreme events such as prolonged droughts. The Caatinga biome has been under impacts either caused by human actions, as directly or indirectly caused by climate changes. For a better understanding and planning actions about those changes, susceptible areas could be classified and zoned, making possible a visualization of historical and continuous pressures caused by urban growth or other human pressures. This research uses bioclimatic data on a global scale and census data at the regional and local scale in an integrative approach. Geospatial technologies are used to obtain a “pressure for changes indicator” caused by climatic, demographic or socioeconomic variables. Fuzzy overlay techniques are used and a statistical estimator for generate surfaces (Kernel density) for three chosen drivers. One climate driver represented by Temperature, Precipitation and Precipitation Seasonality; One demographic driver represented by Population density and rural population changes; and one socioeconomic driver represented by HDI (Human development index) for each county and agricultural GDP (Gross Domestic Product). This overlay process results in a unique “Change for pressure” index for the Brazilian semi-arid region. The results show the nearest areas from some important middle cities such as “high pressure changes”. In those areas, it is possible to observe the strong correlation between LULCC and high density urban areas and an increasing of GDP (Gross Domestic Product for Livestock and Agriculture) in the last years as well.

The rapid expansion of urban systems in both area and population represents the most significant landuse/landcover change occurring in the world today. Urbanization is often accompanied by increasing environmental degradation. This degradation is related to stormwater runoff, air temperatures greater than surrounding rural areas, increased air and water pollution, losses of vegetated lands, and lack of access to sufficient and healthy foods in lower-income areas. Urban agriculture (UA), a practice long established in previous eras but neglected for many decades, can mediate such concerns by providing greenspaces to improve ecosystem services. Successful practice of UA requires recognition of interactions between social and environmental patterns. Neglect of these interactions leads to failure in spatially integrating social and environmental dimensions of the urban landscape, limiting the success of UA. This study investigates siting of UA within Roanoke, Virginia, a compact urban region characterized by social and environmental conditions that can be addressed by effective siting and practice of UA. This research takes a broader perspective than prior studies on UA and urban greenspaces. It proposes innovative applications of geospatial technologies for urban assessment. Studies on UA have typically focused on food insecurity, while studies on greenspaces focus on parks and tree canopy cover, without investigating interactions that promote synergies between these two efforts. Research over the past few years is now recognizing potential contributions for urban agriculture to alleviate environmental issues such as stormwater runoff, soil infertility, and the urban heat island effect. Little of this research has been devoted to the actual siting of urban agriculture to specifically alleviate both socio-economic and environmental issues. This research applies geospatial technologies to evaluate spatial patterns characterizing both environmental and socio-economic disparities within the City of Roanoke, Virginia. This approach has identified specific locations that are open and available for urban agriculture, and has appraised varying levels of socio-economic and environmental parameters. This research identified, at the census block group level, areas with varying levels of degradation. Thus, those locations in which a new urban agriculture greenspace can contribute to both socio-economic and environmental reparation. This research has identified spatial dimensions in which UA will assist in restoring ecosystem services to guide various food production activities. These results can be generalized to other urban locations and contribute to efficient use of urban land and space, improving the three pillars of worldwide sustainability – economic, environment, and social. / Ph. D.