Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-66).

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-66) Also available in print.

M.A. / The study of the two possible routes for the magnetite slurry pipeline between Phalaborwa and Maputo was motivated because of the impact it can have on the environment. Since the early 1970's the environment has become more and more important to the people that live in it. By law any development should by forgone by an Environmental Impact Assessment, and for that reason this study was undertaken. Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A.) measures impacts of one or more environmental indicators on the environment. Further more an Environmental Impact Assessment means a national procedure for evaluating the likely impact of a proposed activity on the environment. It is thus a tool used to minimise the impacts of human development on the environment. This tool will be used to compare the two routes and to identify the route with less Environmental Impact. Within the growing field of environmental science and engineering, there is increasing interest in and use of Environmental Assessment (EA). In this form of assessment, the experts evaluate the probable impact of a range of alternative actions that have been proposed in response to a problem, in this case the placing of a pipeline from Phalaborwa to Maputo. Environmental Impacts may be considered in light of economic, social, or security constraints; hence the lightest impact is not necessarily always chosen by planners.

This thesis examines the opportunities for public participation in the federal Environmental Assessment and Review Process (EARP) and the influence of intervenor funding on that input; the application of EARP to Military Flying Activites in Labrador and Quebec is used as a case study. The analytical approach is critical and based on a public interest perspective. Five research questions are posed based on an interpretation of four normative objectives for the EAR Process and identification of several areas of EARP that restrict public access to decision making. The research questions ask to what extent intervenor funding would increase overall participation in the Process; whether funding would affect the ability of intervenors to be involved in stages of the Process where public input is limited; whether intervenor funding would ensure that the values and interests of public groups are more actively considered at each stage of the Process; how intervenor funding affects the quality and quantity of public input to the Process; and how the administration of the funding program affects public participation in the case study. Questionnaires were developed from these questions and three participant groups in the case study were interviewed. The results of these interviews are summarized and evaluated against the normative objectives and a set of six evaluative criteria - representativeness, educational, accountability, fairness, effectiveness, and efficiency. The criteria are developed from a theoretical rationale for financially supported public participation in EARP. The first general conclusion of this research is that the EAR Process is fundamentally flawed. Notwithstanding incremental reforms like intervenor funding, the assumptions of Environmental Impact Assessment and the structure of EARP treat project assessment as a project specific venture amenable to prediction and technical analysis. In fact is is inseparable from a value-laden and political development planning process. The EAR Process understates this essentially political character yet vests the most significant decision making author^ in the hands of those with the most to gain from project development. After recognition of this problem, this analysis makes recommendations, based on the analysis of the case study, that could assist EARP in approaching the normative objectives. First, while the proponent improved public consultation by 1985, and in the formal review, public involvement in the Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) in 1981 was inadequate. I therefore recommend that the affected publics be involved in decision making at the initial assessment stage of EARP and allowed an avenue of appeal. To support this recommendation the information used for initial assessment decisions needs to be comprehensive and readily accessible. In addition FEARO should provide an independent audit of these decisions. Second, while financial support to caribou research by the proponent since 1986 is laudable, project monitoring should have occurred since the release of the IEE. I therefore recommend that project monitoring be a required element of any application of the EAR Process, after an IEE and a formal review; it should include the affected publics in an advisory capacity and during implementation. Third, the EAR Process does not effectively deal with issues of fundamentally differing values; in this case study the viability of territories under land claims negotiations and the militarization of the Canadian arctic are avoided and unfairly unrepresented. To deal with this problem I recommend that public input be sought when drafting of the Panel's Terms of Reference for a public review. Fourth, information was withheld from intervenors from several government departments during the review. All government departments should be legally required to supply prompt and complete responses to reasonable information requests when they pertain to any stage of the EAR Process. Fifth, the funding program has so far been well administered; while funding has increased public access to the Process for remote settlements, further study is required to assess whether funds were sufficient to allow adequate regional representation. Finally, the credibility of the funding program is thrown into doubt by the participation of the Department of Regional Industrial Expansion in setting up an independent funding committee, their withdrawal from the same, and later support for a pro-development group after the funding was disbursed. An intervenor funding policy is required to regularize funding allocation from one independent agency for the duration of the review. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Public participation can be defined as ...”a process leading to a joint effort by stakeholders, technical specialists, the authorities and the proponent who work together to produce better decisions than if they had acted independently" (Greyling, 1999, p. 20). In South Africa, public participation processes are legally driven and form part a statutory part of environmental impact assessments. Many environmental impact assessments have been undertaken in South Africa, but the environmental impact assessment undertaken for the proposed construction of a demonstration module pebble bed modular reactor was perhaps one of the biggest studies undertaken to date from a public participation process point of view (Smit, 2003). The main aim of this mini-dissertation was to evaluate the public participation process followed for the environmental impact assessment of the demonstration module pebble bed modular reactor at Koeberg in the Western Cape Province against the criteria for fairness and competence as set out by Webler (In: Renn et al., 1995). Despite the fact that this work is eleven years old, it is still regarded as a benchmark for the evaluation of public participation processes in environmental decision making (Abelson et al., 2003). Webler (In: Renn et al., 1995) developed a normative theory for fairness and competence in public participation based on the theory of ideal speech of German sociologist Jürgen Habermas. Habermas’ main contribution to science was his theory of universal pragmatics (Author unknown, 2005). Universal pragmatics is a theory aimed at explaining how language is used to ensure mutual understanding and agreement. Webler (In: Renn et al., 1995) argues that the conditions of universal pragmatics, if applied to public participation, points towards the concepts of fairness (providing everyone with the opportunity to participate) and competence [providing participants (called interested and affected parties (I&APs) with the opportunity to make, question and validate speech acts]. Habermas advocates that each statement (or speech act) makes at least one validity claim and that there is a presupposition that the speaker can validate each claim to the satisfaction of all communication partners, should this be necessary (Perold, 2006). Furthermore, Habermas identifies four different types of validity claims, each having to do with a specific type of statement. In his theory, communicative speech acts have to do with comprehensibility; constantive speech acts with truth/correctness; regulative speech acts with normative rightness and representative speech acts with sincerity. Webler (In: Renn et al., 1995) developed a set of criteria to evaluate the fairness and competence in public participation. This set of criteria was applied to the public participation process of the case study. The study found that the process followed in the case study did not fare particularly well in either fairness or competence, but that fairness was slightly better than competence. The most alarming finding was that little attempt was made to ensure that validity claims – especially constantive (truth and factual information) – were validated or redeemed as this left the door open for misinterpretation, politics and incorrectness. It was also found that I&APs were, for the most, prevented from participating in the decision-making process. This finding may or may not be interpreted as negative as the public participation consultant never made a claim towards power sharing as well as the fact that there are widely differing opinions regarding the level to which public participation should take place. It was suggested that at least some elements of power sharing be incorporated into future processes, that validity claims – especially constantive (theoretical/factual) and therapeutic (regarding feelings and emotions) – must be able to stand up to scrutiny and should be validated. Finally, it was suggested that more attention be given to representative speech acts (statements regarding emotions, perceptions and feelings). / Dr. J. M. Meeuwis

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / China Area Studies / Master / Master of Arts

Chan Kit-ying. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-133). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.x / List of Figures --- p.xii / List of Plates --- p.xiii / List of Appendixes --- p.xiv / Abbreviations --- p.xv / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Organization of Study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Stage One -Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Stage Two - Review of EI A Reports and Case Studies of Ecological Mitigation/Compensation Measures --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Stage Three - Evaluation and Recommendations --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Chapter Outlines --- p.6 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- BACKGROUND OF STUDY / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- Definitions --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3 --- The Ecological Impact Assessment Process --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Baseline Study and Scoping --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Impact Prediction and Evaluation --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Mitigation --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Environmental Monitoring and Auditing --- p.12 / Chapter 2.4 --- Ecological Impact Assessment in Hong Kong --- p.12 / Chapter 2.5 --- Problems of Ecological Impact Assessment --- p.16 / Chapter 2.6 --- Compensatory Mitigation --- p.19 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHDOLOGY AND STUDY AREA / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2 --- Critical Review of EIA Reports --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Methodology --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3 --- Case Studies of Compensatory Wetlands --- p.29 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Selection of Ecological Compensation Projects --- p.29 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Study Sites --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Climate --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Compensatory Fishponds at Au Tau Interchange --- p.32 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Compensatory Mangrove at Main Drainage Channel --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.2.4 --- Compensatory Mangrove at Kau Sai Chau --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Methods to Assess Ecological Functionality --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- Bird Use of the Au Tau Compensatory Ponds --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- Habitat and Vegetation Mapping --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.3.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Vegetation Performance and Soil Properties of Compensatory Mangroves --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.4.1 --- Vegetation Sampling --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.4.2 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.4.3 --- Soil Properties --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.4.4 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.52 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- CRITICAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGICAL STATEMENTS / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.53 / Chapter 4.2 --- Nature of the Projects Reviewed --- p.54 / Chapter 4.3 --- Quality of the Ecological Assessment --- p.56 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Ecological Baseline Study --- p.56 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Impact Predictions --- p.59 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Mitigation --- p.63 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Environmental Monitoring and Auditing --- p.67 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Differences in Ecological Statements before and after EIAO --- p.67 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.69 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Ecological Baseline Study and Scoping --- p.69 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Impact Predictions --- p.71 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring --- p.72 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- PROMISES AND REALITIES OF ECOLOGIAL COMPENSATORY SCHEMES / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.76 / Chapter 5.2 --- Mangrove Communities at KSC and MDC --- p.77 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Vegetation Performance --- p.77 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Soil Properties --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Discussion of the Overall Performance --- p.85 / Chapter 5.3 --- Compensatory Fishponds --- p.91 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Bird Use at Au Tau Compensatory Fishponds --- p.91 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Total Bird Counts --- p.93 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Species Composition --- p.94 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Avian Density --- p.96 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Species Diversity --- p.101 / Chapter 5.3.6 --- Discussion of Au Tau Compensatory Ponds --- p.102 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.107 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 6.1 --- Major Findings --- p.111 / Chapter 6.2 --- Discussion of Findings --- p.114 / Chapter 6.3 --- Recommendations --- p.119 / REFERENCES --- p.125 / APPENDIXES --- p.134

本研究旨在提供一個能針對不同背景的框架來建議如何於中國城市總體規劃中應用戰略環評來體現綠色城市發展，並指出當中的關鍵議題。現時中國正在經歷一個前所未有的城市化趨勢，面臨種種的環境挑戰，中國中央政府在其施政方針中採納低碳發展、生態友好及資源有效利用的發展模式來規劃綠色城市。不過，在規劃綠色城市的過程中無可避免地會面對到障礙。戰略環境評價是被大多數研究確立為一種可達到可持續發展目標的工具，並賦有多種功能，包括影響評估、主動整合及強化管治體制，這些功能都被確立幫助為解決在城市總體規劃中發展綠色城市的障礙策略。 / 由於戰略環評的運作必須適應其實施的背景，本研究會就如何在中國這獨特的背景下有效地應用戰略環評的功能來協助綠色城市規劃建立一個全面的框架，並以此進一步探討這些功能如何在現實中運作。本研究會基於這框架來進行個案研究，探討目前戰略環評在城市總體規劃是如何實踐其三大功能於綠色城市發展上，以及發掘當中的細節及複雜性。此外，在個案研究中亦會分析中國現時城市管治體制會為戰略環評在發揮其功能時帶來的機遇和挑戰。此分析能為以後在中國實踐戰略環評的不同功能時提供具價值的參考，讓戰略環評能被有效地利用在城市總體規劃中協助綠色城市的發展。福州和深圳是本研究的調查個案。調查會基於法定文件、戰略環評技術導則和戰略環評評估報告的文本分析，及與規劃環評從業者、規劃者和專家進行的深入訪談內容。調查會識別出關於如何於中國城市總體規劃中應用戰略環評來體現綠色城市發展的關鍵議題，並作出討論，提出相應的建議。此研究能豐富如何於中國城市總體規劃中應用戰略環評來體現綠色城市發展的具體討論，亦可提供能切合中國背景的建議，以解決在城市總體規劃過程中會面對的障礙，並實踐可持續發展的城市規劃的願景。 / This research aims at providing a context-specific framework to suggest how to utilize the functions of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for green city planning in China and identify the key issues accordingly. Under an unprecedented pace of urbanization, China is adopting, as a policy, the development mode of low carbon, ecological friendliness and resource efficiency which is generally referred to as “green city“ development. Nevertheless, there are barriers for green city development and transition. SEA, heralded by many as one of the major tools for sustainable development, is noted for its multi-functionality of impact assessment, proactive integration and governance enhancement. / Considering SEA’s context-specificity, a holistic framework has been established in this study to examine how the functions of SEA have been implemented in the unique context of China. Using such framework, two case studies have been undertaken to review how SEA has been applied to urban master planning and to unravel the complexity of its operation in respect of the three functions of SEA. The analysis has identified some lessons that warrant learning as well as the opportunities and challenges provided by the wider China context. This study provides suggestions for improving SEA operation for green city development. Fuzhou and Shenzhen were chosen as cases for analysis. Statutory documents, technical guidance and SEA reports on the urban master plan had been reviewed while in-depth interviews with practitioners, planners and experts were also conducted to explore the SEA process and the key issues. This context-specific discussion can enrich insights on China SEA practice and provide China specific practical suggestions for improving the urban master planning process and attaining urban sustainability. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Chan, Foon Tung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-148). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Abstract (English) --- p.i / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.v / List of Tables --- p.x / List of Figures --- p.xi / Abbreviations --- p.xii / Terms in English, Chinese, and Chinese pinyin --- p.xii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research objectives --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research questions --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Structure of the thesis --- p.7 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- Urban master planning for green city development --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Elucidation of the concepts of green city --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Master planning for green cities in China --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Barriers for green city development in the planning process --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3 --- Strategic environmental assessment --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Definition of strategic environmental assessment --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- SEA of urban master planning in China --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Evolution of SEA --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- SEA as a means to address the barriers of green city planning --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4 --- Context specificity of SEA --- p.30 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Importance of considering context specificity --- p.30 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Impacts of context on SEA --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- The context of China --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Methodology --- p.40 / Chapter 3.1 --- Research approach --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2 --- Research framework --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3 --- Research strategies --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Document review --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Cases study --- p.50 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Contextualized Framework for Investigation --- p.53 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.53 / Chapter 4.2 --- Review of PEIA mechanism applied to urban master planning --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3 --- Conclusion --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Results of Analysis and Investigation --- p.62 / Chapter 5.1 --- Conceptual level --- p.62 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Review of statutory documents --- p.62 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Content analysis of PEIA reports --- p.64 / Chapter 5.2 --- Operational level --- p.68 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Case study: Fuzhou --- p.68 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Case study: Shenzhen --- p.80 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Lessons learned --- p.94 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Concluding remarks at the operational level --- p.102 / Chapter 5.3 --- Institutional level --- p.103 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Opportunities and challenges --- p.103 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Discussion --- p.110 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.110 / Chapter 6.2 --- Key issues --- p.110 / Chapter 6.3 --- Implications and recommendations --- p.112 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Realizing the multi-functionality of PEIA --- p.112 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Recognizing existing strengths --- p.113 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Making up the insufficiency of urban master plan --- p.115 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Addressing the weaknesses of current PEIA mechanism --- p.116 / Chapter 6.3.5 --- Strengthening current capacity --- p.117 / Chapter 6.3.6 --- Recognizing the role of facilitators and mediators --- p.118 / Chapter 6.3.7 --- Realizing the political dynamics of urban governance --- p.119 / Chapter 6.3.8 --- Encouraging the use of PEIA in decision-making --- p.121 / Chapter 6.3.9 --- Substantiating current guidance notes --- p.122 / Chapter 6.3.10 --- Selection of indicators for reviewing the effectiveness of PEIA for green city development --- p.123 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusions --- p.124 / Chapter 7.1 --- Key findings --- p.124 / Chapter 7.2 --- Research limitations --- p.126 / Chapter 7.3 --- Recommendations for future research --- p.127 / Chapter 7.4 --- Concluding remarks --- p.129 / Chapter Appendix I --- List of PEIA reports reviewed --- p.130 / Chapter Appendix II --- A full list of the interviewees in this research --- p.131 / Chapter Appendix III --- Guiding questions for semi-structured interviews --- p.132 / References --- p.135

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