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This thesis imagines a group of people who sought a way of living that considers the thousands of generations who will come after them. They set out to build a city that embraces natural cycles and spatial limits in the pursuit of longevity. The result is an eutopia, a good place, where individual mortality is the animus of community continuity. / Master of Architecture / This thesis imagines a group of people who sought a way of living that considers the thousands of generations who will come after them. They set out to build a city that embraces natural cycles and spatial limits in the pursuit of longevity. The result is an eutopia, a good place, where individual mortality is the animus of community continuity.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Faculty of Architecture,Building and Planning, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 331-349).

Urbanization is known to have a negative impact on biodiversity. However, it is possible to increase bird species richness in cities through local actions such as increasing vegetation density and diversity. My first objective was to compare bird density and diversity on the island of Montreal among four urban habitat types: low-density and medium-density residential sectors, and residential and natural parks. A second objective was to determine the presence of bird species assemblages within these four urban habitats and a third was to explore associative relationships among six mainly shrub-nesting bird species and the vegetation they use. Point counts were conducted in each of 103 locations. Environmental variables measured consisted of the type (coniferous versus deciduous), density and height of vegetation within each 1 ha sector. Results revealed a decrease in bird abundance from medium-density residential habitats, residential park, low density residential habitats to natural parks and an increase in diversity from medium density residential habitats, low density residential habitats, residential parks to natural parks. Bird assemblages were determined through correspondence analysis. Most bird species were associated with at least one type of urban habitat. Associations between bird species and vegetation were measured through canonical correspondence analysis. The six focal species associated with shrubs demonstrated different levels of association with different habitat variables.

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This research investigated the techno-economic feasibility of increasing hours of electricity services on Likoma Island in Malawi; making use of solar photovoltaic and wind power in order to enhance sustainable livelihood. Likoma Island grid is operated independent of the mainland grid; and the island is supplied electricity by diesel generators which are scheduled for only 14 hours per day. The limited hours of electricity supply constrains the delivery of essential services and hinders people from achieving sustainable livelihoods. The research used empirical and modelled data of solar irradiance and hub height wind speed, photovoltaic and wind energy systems costs, diesel-generator operation costs, energy needs, energy use patterns, electricity demand profile, and prevailing socioeconomic conditions. Diesel, photovoltaic, and wind based energy systems feeding the Island s grid; and autonomous photovoltaic and wind energy systems for selected essential institutions were modelled and simulated using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables. Energy system solutions are proposed indicating cost factors and opportunities for the enhancement of sustainable livelihoods. The thesis argues that with the financial resources committed to the prevailing 14-hours supply of electricity by diesel generators, it is feasible to provide Likoma Island with electricity for 24 hours every day by photovoltaic and wind based energy systems. A deployment model which uses excess energy from the modelled photovoltaic and wind power systems to serve non-grid loads and livelihood activities which are difficult to account for when sizing embedded renewable energy systems has been developed. The findings provide cost projections of photovoltaic and wind energy systems relative to diesel generators upon which investment and policy decisions can be made. Microscale wind maps at 10 m, 25 m, 40 m and 50 m have been developed for identification of potential wind turbine sites. Empirical socioeconomic data which are essential for the design of delivery mechanisms for renewable energy systems have been generated. The deployment model proposed by the research gives new insights into holistic ways of enhancing sustainable energy access in low-income communities. The interdisciplinary insights provided by this thesis can be applied in other countries and communities with similar socioeconomic contexts to Likoma Island.