The Best MPhil Thesis in the Faculties of Architexture, Arts, Business& Economics, Education, Law and Social Sciences (University of HongKong), Li Ka Shing Prize, 2007-2008 / published_or_final_version / Geography / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 130-138).

Thesis (M.S. in landscape architecture)--Washington State University. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1943. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-96).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 129-135).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Open space is one of the most important and most neglected parts of the urban fabric. The rush of rapid urbanization has consumed much land which might better have been left open to exploit its values to society for recreation, food production, flood prevention, aesthetics, and even for shaping urban development. In order for open space to fulfill these functions the use of the land must be planned in advance of development, and open land which has natural qualities that are valuable to society should be preserved. One method which is being used to preserve this land is through the use of conservation easements. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not conservation easements are an effective means of preserving open space, and which level of government is best able to use them. Therefore, the hypothesis was posed that, Conservation easements are an effective means of preserving open space, and they should be implemented by local public agencies. To reach a conclusion about this hypothesis an exhaustive review of all the available literature on the subject of conservation easements was conducted. This was followed by correspondence and interviews with representatives of several public and private bodies which were known to have been involved in the acquisition of easements, or were known to have considered the use of conservation easements. The analysis indicates that the successful use of conservation easements, their acceptance by both public officials and private landowners, and the resolution of the technical difficulties which are inevitable in the application of a developing concept, are evidence that conservation easements are an effective means of preserving open space. Furthermore, the analysis shows that various factors in the use of conservation easements mitigate for different conclusions as to which level of government can best implement them. Therefore, it is concluded that only some conservation easements should be implemented by local public agencies, and that the choice as to which level of government or private organization is most suitable should be based on a knowledge of the easement's purposes and the circumstances under which it is to be acquired and held, as well as on a knowledge of the capabilities of the various public and private bodies. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

No description available.

This thesis examines the contribution of urban greenspace to public health and inequalities in young people. Taking a comprehensive, environmental justice approach variations in provision, access, use and experience of greenspace related to neighbourhood level inequalities are explored in relation to physical activity, mood and wellbeing in 16-25 year olds. The project used a three phased, mixed methods design via spatial mapping, real-time monitoring and community-based participatory research. The first phase used Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to conduct an analysis of the provision, accessibility and quality of public greenspace in Aberdeen City. Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation data were used explore and contrast these characteristics between areas categorised as affluent or deprived. The second phase used real-time measures to gather within-person data on greenspace use, physical activity, and mood in 16-25year olds over a seven day period, further exploring how socio-economic variations in good quality greenspace influenced the use and effect of greenspace. The third study phase used qualitative, community-based participatory research to empower young people to explore their experience and importance of greenspace for health. The results suggest a potential positive role of greenspace in public health in relation to increasing physical activity, decreasing sedentary behaviour and providing opportunities for restoration in young people. However, they also demonstrate that social inequalities are present in the provision of good quality greenspace and highlight that quality of greenspace and wider issues related to area level deprivation play a crucial role in the use and experience of greenspace, as well as the effect on physical activity and mood in young people. This has important implications for public health as the promotion of greenspace at a population level could deepen rather than improve health inequalities, by exposing those in affluent areas to health enhancing good quality greenspace and those in deprived areas to the potentially detrimental effects of poor quality greenspace.

Thesis (M.L.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes special report study entitled: Horse and horse riding trial.