Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The emerging interest in 'spaces of childhood' over the past two decades can be identified in a number of disciplines. A substantial body of research has indicated that children's active engagement within the natural environment as a space has been associated with a range of cognitive, physical, affective, and moral developmental benefits. Given the exponential growth in research on children and nature interactions, it was imperative to explore how children make sense of nature and the influence this has on children's subjective well-being (SWB) to address the current dearth in the literature; both internationally and in South Africa. The aim of the study was to explore children's engagement with natural spaces. Within this process the study aimed to explore the extent to which children's engagement with natural spaces influences their SWB. The specific objectives of the study were: 1) To systematically review and synthesise the findings regarding children's understandings and engagement with nature as a space (Chapter Four- Article 1 using a systematic review methodology); 2) To explore the relationship between children's environmental perceptions and their subjective well-being (Chapter Five- Article 2 using Structural Equation Modeling); 3) To explore how children discursively construct natural spaces and the influence on their subjective wellbeing, using specific discursive resources and repertoires to construct and assign meaning to their engagement with natural space, and how their constructions and assignations are manifested in their discourses (Chapter Six- Article 3 using discourse analysis); and 4) To explore children's representations and perceptions of natural spaces using photovoice and community mapping (Chapter Seven- Article 4 using thematic analysis). The study employed a mixed methods approach to gain an inclusive understanding of children's daily lives. In advancing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the study included children as key agents and valid constructors of knowledge, with crucial contributions to make about their well-being. The study comprised three phases; Phase One encompassed a systematic review which aims to explore how children make sense of, assign meaning to, and perceive natural spaces (addressing objective 1). Phase Two and Three constituted the mixed methods study: Phase Two included the quantitative phase (addressing objective 2) and Phase Three included the qualitative phase (addressing objective 3 and 4) with children between 12-14 years of age. Phase Two encompassed a cross-sectional survey design with children aged 12 years in the Western Cape province of South Africa, and included a final sample of 1004 children. Phase Three employed a qualitative methodological design utilising focus group interviews, photovoice, and community mapping across three diverse communities in both urban and rural geographical locations. While Phase Two showed no significant relationship between children's engagement in natural spaces (using Structural Equation Modeling) and their subjective well-being, the findings from the qualitative phase, utilising participatory methods, showed that socio-economic status (SES) was a key defining factor influencing how children made sense of their lives. The narratives of children from the low SES communities indicated that safety was a pervasive concern for children, with many having experienced first-hand negative experiences in their neighbourhoods. Many of these experiences have occurred in nature, which resulted in nature being constructed as synonymous with danger, while children from the middle SES community did not perceive safety as a concern in their community. Thus evincing the nuances which exist in children's understandings. Although children's environments are inherently unsafe, an important finding was that nature positively influenced children's subjective well-being. Given the significant role that nature plays in influencing children's subjective well-being, we advance children's environmental subjective well-being (ESWB) which merges the fields of environmental psychology and positive psychology which essentially have a shared goal of enhancing people's quality of life. 'Good places' for children should therefore give preference to children's safety in their neighbourhoods, as well as affording children opportunities for engagement in natural spaces which enhances their subjective well-being and life satisfaction. The study points to the need for environmental education in the formal and informal spaces which children inhabit, to foster an intrinsic care for nature. / National Research Foundation

L’urbanisation représente aujourd’hui une des grandes menaces pour l’environnement, notamment dans les zones littorales où l’exploitation des ressources naturelles est plurielle. Ce travail propose d’apporter une connaissance à deux échelles d’analyse, régionale et communale, sur les changements environnementaux qui ont eu lieu pendant 70 ans d’urbanisation de la Região dos Lagos, située dans l’État de Rio de Janeiro au Brésil. Le phénomène d’urbanisation est caractérisé par deux processus menant à la consommation des espaces naturels et anthropo-naturels : l’extension et la densification urbaines. Ces deux processus posent des questions sur la durabilité de ces espaces, dans une région où l’habitat individuel, à faible densité bâtie et de population, sous la forme de lotissements destinés à l’utilisation temporaire est prédominant. Le lotissement et le logement sont deux éléments d’analyse pratique permettant de comprendre : le développement de l’urbanisation au niveau communal, à partir d’un regard historique et spatial ; et le choix de la localisation des lotissements et leurs caractéristiques d’occupation. Le renvoi à l’échelle régionale montre en effet que toute la région subit les mêmes processus de consommation des espaces naturels et anthropo-naturels et que la durabilité est à l’épreuve des changements des relations homme-nature, fortement touchées par des enjeux environnementaux variés. / Urbanization represents nowadays one of the great threats to the environment, mainly in the coastal zones, where the exploitation of natural resources is diversified. This thesis proposes to put in evidence, in two scales of analysis, the environmental changes, during 70 years of Região dos Lagos urbanization, a region situated in Rio de Janeiro State, in Brazil. The urbanization phenomenon is characterized by two process leading to the natural and anthropic-natural spaces consummation : urban extension and densification. These two processes put in question the sustainability of natural and anthropic-natural spaces, in the region where individual habitat, at low built and population density, characterized by residential allotments are often used temporarily. The allotments and the habitat are two elements of practical analysis that highlight the urbanization development at municipal scale, in an historical and spatial structure, and that to induce hypothesis that have oriented the choices of allotments localization and its characteristics of occupation. The return to the regional scale highlight effectively that all the region has been undergone the same natural and anthropic-natural spaces consummation processes, and sustainability is taken by human and nature relations changes, strongly affected by different environmental concerns.

Con el objetivo de invitar a los lectores a visitar destinos como Cusco y Puno, se han escrito textos turísticos en diferentes lenguas y desde diferentes países. Además, la era digital ha hecho de las páginas web, las cuales presentan información sobre los destinos que ofrecen mediante textos y contenido multimedia, uno de los recursos más importantes para difundir actividades como el turismo. En ese sentido, el presente estudio investigará el discurso de páginas web del sector turístico del Perú y de los Estados Unidos sobre espacios naturales de Cusco y Puno, con la finalidad de estudiar textos turísticos del mismo destino en dos lenguas diferentes. Así, el objetivo de la investigación es analizar la construcción de la imagen de los espacios naturales de Cusco y Puno en sitios web peruanos y estadounidenses dirigidos al turismo. La investigación asume que la imagen de los espacios naturales de Cusco y Puno puede variar según quién sea el emisor y en dónde se produzca el texto turístico. Por tanto, se buscará responder a cómo se construye la imagen de los espacios naturales de las regiones mencionadas en páginas web peruanas y estadounidenses mediante un estudio de caso con un enfoque cualitativo. Asimismo, se empleará la técnica del análisis de contenido con fichas de análisis como instrumentos para aplicarlas a la investigación. / Several tourism texts have been written in different languages and from different countries to invite readers to visit destinations such as Cusco and Puno. In addition, the digital era has made websites ―which present information about the destinations they offer through text and multimedia content― one of the most important resources for promoting activities such as tourism. In this regard, this study will investigate the discourse of websites of the tourism sector in Peru and the United States about natural areas of Cusco and Puno, to study tourism texts of the same destination in two different languages. Thus, the objective of this research is to analyze the image construction of natural areas of Cusco and Puno in tourism-oriented websites of Peru and the United States. It is assumed that the natural areas image of Cusco and Puno may vary depending on who is the sender and where the tourism text is produced. Therefore, we will seek to answer how the natural areas image of the mentioned regions is constructed in tourism-oriented websites of Peru and the United States through a case study with a qualitative approach. Likewise, we will use the technique of content analysis with analysis sheets applied to the research. / Trabajo de investigación

A reserva legal, instituída pelo Código Florestal Brasileiro (Lei n° 4.771 de 1965), determina que toda propriedade rural deve manter uma parcela da sua área permanentemente coberta com vegetação nativa. Mesmo reconhecida como importante instrumento para a conservação da biodiversidade no país, suas normas são amplamente desrespeitadas. O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar os fatores que afetam o cumprimento da reserva legal nos municípios do Estado de São Paulo. Para tanto, a existência de correlação entre medidas de cumprimento à RL, referentes ao número e área de reserva legal averbada, dos municípios e Agências Ambientais do Estado e fatores sócio-econômicos, ecológicos e institucionais obtidos em banco de dados Estaduais e Federais foi investigada por meio de diagramas de dispersão, testes de correlação e análise de regressão linear múltipla. Posteriormente, indicadores quantitativos de estrutura e organização interna das Agências Ambientais, obtidos em questionário aplicado a estes órgãos, foram comparados aos índices de cumprimento da reserva legal. Os dados mostram que 98,2% das propriedades rurais do Estado não respeitam o percentual de 20% de RL preconizado na legislação federal e confirmam a hipótese inicial de que algumas regiões do Estado apresentam déficit menor de áreas protegidas nas propriedades privadas. As análises estatísticas revelam, ao contrário do que era esperado, que o valor de produção de produtos agropecuários e o preço da terra não são os principais determinantes da manutenção de áreas protegidas nas propriedades rurais. Os resultados indicam ainda que índices maiores de vegetação nativa remanescente implicam em cumprimento à reserva legal mais efetivo e que a estrutura e organização com que contam as Agências Ambientais não possuem papel decisivo no êxito dos procedimentos de averbação de reserva legal. A maior contribuição do estudo é apontar que o principal argumento utilizado pelos segmentos produtivos da agropecuária para justificar o descumprimento à Reserva Legal, de que são fatores econômicos, principalmente, que afetam a decisão de manter a RL, não se sustenta. Outros fatores, não tratados neste estudo, podem influenciar o cumprimento da RL, portanto, são necessários mais estudos que abordem, em profundidade, os diferentes aspectos que envolvem a decisão de manter áreas protegidas em terras privadas. / Legal Reserve Forest, instituted by the Brazilian Forest Code (Law 4.471/1965), requires that each rural properties in national territory must have a patch of native vegetation in their land. Despite the importance for nature conservation has been recognized, until today the LR it has not been fully implemented. The present study aim to investigate the factors that interfere in the obey of legal reserve in the municipal districts of the Sao Paulo Stated. The correlations between the indexes of accomplishment of LR across the municipal districts and Environmental Agencies of Sao Paulo Stated and socioeconomic, ecological and institutional factors available on government databases, was explore by bloxplots, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis Then, quantitative indicators of structure and organization of Environmental Agencies, calculated by the questionnaire applied in this institutions, was compared to the indexes of accomplishment of LR. The first surveying of data show that 98.2% of rural properties dont comply with the percentage of 20% of LR fixed in the Federal Law and sustain the initial hypothesis that some regions of the State present lower deficit of protect areas on private ownerships. The analysis demonstrate, instead of the expected, that Production Value of main agricola products and Land Price were not the main determinants of keep vegetation areas in the rural properties. The results also show that high percentage of forestry remnants significantly imply in compliance more effective and the structure and organization of Environmental Agencies dont appear as an essential role in the outcome of LR proceeds of assigned. The main finding of the study is point that main argument used by farming sector, that economic factors mainly affect the decision to keep protected areas as LR, was not support. Other factors, not discussion on this work can explain the variation of LR so, it is essential that more studies treat deeply different aspects of decision to keep protected areas in private lands.

A reserva legal, instituída pelo Código Florestal Brasileiro (Lei n° 4.771 de 1965), determina que toda propriedade rural deve manter uma parcela da sua área permanentemente coberta com vegetação nativa. Mesmo reconhecida como importante instrumento para a conservação da biodiversidade no país, suas normas são amplamente desrespeitadas. O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar os fatores que afetam o cumprimento da reserva legal nos municípios do Estado de São Paulo. Para tanto, a existência de correlação entre medidas de cumprimento à RL, referentes ao número e área de reserva legal averbada, dos municípios e Agências Ambientais do Estado e fatores sócio-econômicos, ecológicos e institucionais obtidos em banco de dados Estaduais e Federais foi investigada por meio de diagramas de dispersão, testes de correlação e análise de regressão linear múltipla. Posteriormente, indicadores quantitativos de estrutura e organização interna das Agências Ambientais, obtidos em questionário aplicado a estes órgãos, foram comparados aos índices de cumprimento da reserva legal. Os dados mostram que 98,2% das propriedades rurais do Estado não respeitam o percentual de 20% de RL preconizado na legislação federal e confirmam a hipótese inicial de que algumas regiões do Estado apresentam déficit menor de áreas protegidas nas propriedades privadas. As análises estatísticas revelam, ao contrário do que era esperado, que o valor de produção de produtos agropecuários e o preço da terra não são os principais determinantes da manutenção de áreas protegidas nas propriedades rurais. Os resultados indicam ainda que índices maiores de vegetação nativa remanescente implicam em cumprimento à reserva legal mais efetivo e que a estrutura e organização com que contam as Agências Ambientais não possuem papel decisivo no êxito dos procedimentos de averbação de reserva legal. A maior contribuição do estudo é apontar que o principal argumento utilizado pelos segmentos produtivos da agropecuária para justificar o descumprimento à Reserva Legal, de que são fatores econômicos, principalmente, que afetam a decisão de manter a RL, não se sustenta. Outros fatores, não tratados neste estudo, podem influenciar o cumprimento da RL, portanto, são necessários mais estudos que abordem, em profundidade, os diferentes aspectos que envolvem a decisão de manter áreas protegidas em terras privadas. / Legal Reserve Forest, instituted by the Brazilian Forest Code (Law 4.471/1965), requires that each rural properties in national territory must have a patch of native vegetation in their land. Despite the importance for nature conservation has been recognized, until today the LR it has not been fully implemented. The present study aim to investigate the factors that interfere in the obey of legal reserve in the municipal districts of the Sao Paulo Stated. The correlations between the indexes of accomplishment of LR across the municipal districts and Environmental Agencies of Sao Paulo Stated and socioeconomic, ecological and institutional factors available on government databases, was explore by bloxplots, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis Then, quantitative indicators of structure and organization of Environmental Agencies, calculated by the questionnaire applied in this institutions, was compared to the indexes of accomplishment of LR. The first surveying of data show that 98.2% of rural properties dont comply with the percentage of 20% of LR fixed in the Federal Law and sustain the initial hypothesis that some regions of the State present lower deficit of protect areas on private ownerships. The analysis demonstrate, instead of the expected, that Production Value of main agricola products and Land Price were not the main determinants of keep vegetation areas in the rural properties. The results also show that high percentage of forestry remnants significantly imply in compliance more effective and the structure and organization of Environmental Agencies dont appear as an essential role in the outcome of LR proceeds of assigned. The main finding of the study is point that main argument used by farming sector, that economic factors mainly affect the decision to keep protected areas as LR, was not support. Other factors, not discussion on this work can explain the variation of LR so, it is essential that more studies treat deeply different aspects of decision to keep protected areas in private lands.

Dans un contexte de socialisation des risques, les propriétaires et gestionnaires d’espaces naturels sont confrontés à un paradoxe opposant l’exigence croissante d’un aménagement des sites en vue de leur sécurisation, et la nécessité d’assurer leur préservation. Cette problématique revêt un relief particulier dans les espaces naturels littoraux, qui concentrent des sites d’exception en termes de biodiversité et de paysages, qui sont dans le même temps prisés des touristes et sportifs, et entourés par l’urbanisation. La gestion naturaliste de ces espaces génère des risques, voire des dommages, et donne lieu à des responsabilités qui s’entrecroisent, voire s’enchevêtrent. Les espaces littoraux sont également concernés par les risques d’érosion côtière et de submersion marine qui illustrent la situation paradoxale du souhait d’occuper un espace d’exception, sans être impacté par son évolution. Face aux faiblesses des stratégies de défense contre la mer, l’idée d’une acceptation de la mouvance du trait de côte, par anticipation ou déplacement des enjeux menacés, se fraie un chemin depuis une trentaine d’années et conduit à repenser l’aménagement des sites côtiers et des espaces rétro-littoraux. Ainsi, si les acteurs de la gestion des espaces naturels se heurtent aujourd’hui aux demandes d’indemnisation des victimes de risques naturels, ils se heurteront demain aux demandes de protection ou de relocalisation des personnes menacées par les risques côtiers. Dès lors, comment répondre à ces enjeux et contraintes ? La thèse étaye le postulat selon lequel la clef réside dans une meilleure appréhension juridique de la notion de risques inhérents aux espaces naturels / In a context of risks socialization, the owners and the administrators of natural spaces are confronted to a paradox bringing into conflict the increasing demand of security in natural sites, and the necessity to assure the preservation of those same sites. Coastal zone are particularly faced with this problem : in fact, this kind of territories are characterized by some remarkable natural spaces and landscapes, which are both crowed by tourists and outdoor sports enthusiasts, and landlocked by the urbanization. Today, the wilderness management of natural spaces generates risks and responsibilities which become muddled between the littoral actors. Coastal zones are also exposed to erosion and marine submersion, which illustrate the paradoxical situation of the wish to live in exceptional spaces without undergoing the natural dynamics of the coastal line. In front of the weakness of defense strategies, the idea of an acceptance of the natural movement of the coast line by anticipation or spatial reorganization of territories to protect the persons threatened by erosion or submersion, gained ground in the last thirty years. These news adaptation strategies lead up to reconsider the coastal zones management, but also the hinterland spatial planning. Thus, if the actors of the natural spaces management face with the compensation claims of natural risks victims today, they will collide with requests of protection or relocation of the people threatened by the coastal risks tomorrow. How to answer to these stakes and constraints ? This thesis supports the postulate that the key lies in a better legal apprehension of the notion of risks inherent in natural spaces

The purpose of this research was to assess the condition of open spaces, community perceptions, benefits, threats and challenges faced by open spaces within KwaDukuza. The research is regarded as important within the context of threats posed by uncontrolled development to urban biodiversity. Primary and secondary documentary sources on open spaces in the study area were consulted. Data was gathered through the use of a questionnaire, with a sample of 100 respondents; observation; structured interviews with key respondents and discussions with focus groups. The research revealed a consistent pattern of threatened urban biodiversity when compared with other studies. The main finding was that the open spaces were under severe strain and threat in the area of KwaDukuza due to development. There was a noted lack of knowledge about key tools meant to safeguard the environment. The study concluded by recommending community participation, education and an open space policy framework for KwaDukuza. / Geography / M.A. (Geography)

The purpose of this research was to assess the condition of open spaces, community perceptions, benefits, threats and challenges faced by open spaces within KwaDukuza. The research is regarded as important within the context of threats posed by uncontrolled development to urban biodiversity. Primary and secondary documentary sources on open spaces in the study area were consulted. Data was gathered through the use of a questionnaire, with a sample of 100 respondents; observation; structured interviews with key respondents and discussions with focus groups. The research revealed a consistent pattern of threatened urban biodiversity when compared with other studies. The main finding was that the open spaces were under severe strain and threat in the area of KwaDukuza due to development. There was a noted lack of knowledge about key tools meant to safeguard the environment. The study concluded by recommending community participation, education and an open space policy framework for KwaDukuza. / Geography / M.A. (Geography)