Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability around the world. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the impact of socio-environmental determinants of CVDs at the neighbourhood scale in order to inform actionable interventions, which may lead to large-scale reductions in preventable CVDs. Drawing on 2411 surveys carried out in Toronto, Canada, this thesis employs multilevel models to estimate the magnitude of socio-environmental influences on the risk of CVD while adjusting for individual-level risk factors. To advance current research methodology, strategies and innovations were developed to 1) improve the characterization of neighbourhoods by empirically testing a full range of socio-environmental influences; 2) account for non-residential exposures by including a combined analysis of work and home contexts; 3) account for variations in the duration of exposure through the use of time-weighted models; 4) deal with problem of spatial data aggregation by developing and testing a novel method of neighbourhood zone design, and 5) account for the spatial scales of different socio-environmental determinants by modeling at multiple scales. The thesis demonstrated that land use decisions are inextricably public health decisions. It found that living in neighbourhoods with inadequate access to food stores and areas for physical activity, burdened by violent crimes and fast food restaurants, and over-dependent on automobiles (leading to air pollution), with a high level of noise may significantly increase the risk of CVDs, over and above individual-level risks. The thesis also found that working in neighbourhoods that are socio-economically disadvantaged or have high-traffic may significantly increase CVD risk. The thesis developed and demonstrated novel methods to reduce the measurement error of neighbourhood exposures through 1) the use of “amoeba buffers” to improve neighbourhood zone design to better reflect participants’ local neighbourhoods and 2) the use of duration of exposure weights to adjust for individual differences in the time spent across different contexts. Finally, it found that the significance of socio-environmental factors depends on the scale of data aggregation; thus, investigation of multiple scales may be required to identify the relevant scale that matches the specific contextual factor in future research.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability around the world. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the impact of socio-environmental determinants of CVDs at the neighbourhood scale in order to inform actionable interventions, which may lead to large-scale reductions in preventable CVDs. Drawing on 2411 surveys carried out in Toronto, Canada, this thesis employs multilevel models to estimate the magnitude of socio-environmental influences on the risk of CVD while adjusting for individual-level risk factors. To advance current research methodology, strategies and innovations were developed to 1) improve the characterization of neighbourhoods by empirically testing a full range of socio-environmental influences; 2) account for non-residential exposures by including a combined analysis of work and home contexts; 3) account for variations in the duration of exposure through the use of time-weighted models; 4) deal with problem of spatial data aggregation by developing and testing a novel method of neighbourhood zone design, and 5) account for the spatial scales of different socio-environmental determinants by modeling at multiple scales. The thesis demonstrated that land use decisions are inextricably public health decisions. It found that living in neighbourhoods with inadequate access to food stores and areas for physical activity, burdened by violent crimes and fast food restaurants, and over-dependent on automobiles (leading to air pollution), with a high level of noise may significantly increase the risk of CVDs, over and above individual-level risks. The thesis also found that working in neighbourhoods that are socio-economically disadvantaged or have high-traffic may significantly increase CVD risk. The thesis developed and demonstrated novel methods to reduce the measurement error of neighbourhood exposures through 1) the use of “amoeba buffers” to improve neighbourhood zone design to better reflect participants’ local neighbourhoods and 2) the use of duration of exposure weights to adjust for individual differences in the time spent across different contexts. Finally, it found that the significance of socio-environmental factors depends on the scale of data aggregation; thus, investigation of multiple scales may be required to identify the relevant scale that matches the specific contextual factor in future research.

This thesis concerns Precision Agriculture (PA) technology which involves methods developed to optimise grain yield by examining data quality and modelling protein/yield relationship of wheat and sorghum fields in central and southern Queensland. An important part of developing strategies to optimisise grain yield is the understanding of PA technology. This covers major aspects of PA which includes all the components of Site- Specific Crop Management System (SSCM). These components are 1. Spatial referencing, 2. Crop, soil and climate monitoring, 3. Attribute mapping, 4. Decision suppport systems and 5. Differential action. Understanding how all five components fit into PA significantly aids the development of data analysis methods. The development of PA is dependent on the collection, analysis and interpretation of information. A preliminary data analysis step is described which covers both non-spatial and spatial data analysis methods. The non-spatial analysis involves plotting methods (maps, histograms), standard distribution and statistical summary (mean, standard deviation). The spatial analysis covers both undirected and directional variogram analyses. In addition to the data analysis, a theoretical investigation into GPS error is given. GPS plays a major role in the development of PA. A number of sources of errors affect the GPS and therefore effect the positioning measurements. Therefore, an understanding of the distribution of the errors and how they are related to each other over time is needed to complement the understanding of the nature of the data. Understanding the error distribution and the data give useful insights for model assumptions in regard to position measurement errors. A review of filtering methods is given and new methods are developed, namely, strip analysis and a double harvesting algoritm. These methods are designed specifically for controlled traffic and normal traffic respectively but can be applied to all kinds of yield monitoring data. The data resulting from the strip analysis and double harvesting algorithm are used in investigating the relationship between on-the-go yield and protein. The strategy is to use protein and yield in determining decisions with respect to nitrogen managements. The agronomic assumption is that protein and yield have a significant relationship based on plot trials. We investigate whether there is any significant relationship between protein and yield at the local level to warrent this kind of assumption. Understanding PA technology and being aware of the sources of errors that exist in data collection and data analysis are all very important in the steps of developing management decision strategies.

Economic development brings about urbanisation which may result in rapid housing expansion. The health and well-being of communities is often not considered as a priority of urbanisation with the pressure for developing better economies. Sustainability principles in housing developments are perceived to be able to enhance and to improve the quality of living. The approach to sustainability can, however, be interpreted and prioritised differently. Many developing countries such as Malaysia are depending upon industrialisation for the development of their economies. Continuing urbanisation and industrialisation in these countries indirectly creates tensions between the need for a better built environment, and the push for economic growth. One specific phenomena in Malaysia is the introduction of the mixed-use urban neighbourhood, whereby residential development is netsled within the industrial establishments. On one hand, this helps to create job opportunities and improve the local economy. On the other, it creates concerns in the relations to the house planning, and to the well-being of the residents. These have potential exposures to industrial activities that are associated with environmental problems, such as, poor air quality, local temperature increases, and excessive noise levels. This research applied the current international trends of sustainability practices in housing development in searching for the most appropriate strategies for developing sustainable residential-industrial neighborhoods. Cross reference to other countries strategies and experiences can be adaptation for Malaysian conditions. A residential-industrial community in the city of Pasir Gudang Johor, Malaysia, has been selected as a case study in order to examine the perceived problems of indoor environmental quality in such environments. The result of a questionnaire survey and in-situ measurement indicates that they are facing indoor environmental problems. A set of recommendations for housing guidelines which are tailored for local Malaysians conditions have been identified, and have potential for improving the housing development guidelines and policies for mixed-use community living. Comprehensive strategies will need to be developed to achieve housing development sustainability goals. The development of Master Planned Communities (MPC's) is suggested to be appropriate mechanism to developing planning controls. This will ensure the improvement of indoor environmental quality of living in residential-industrial housing developments in Malaysia. It is anticipated that this research will make a positive contribution to developing decision-making procedures that are appropriate to achieving the goals of sustainable housing development in relation to mixed-used residential housing, It is also expected that this research will assist in establishment of a unified national sustainable housing strategy, and in the rationalised adoption of a master planned community approach.

Cette thèse compare les processus de patrimonialisation dans des quartiers péricentraux de trois villes reconnues pour la qualité de leur patrimoine bâti et culturel : Bâle, Strasbourg et Valparaiso. En partant des paradigmes de la transaction sociale et de la régulation conjointe, la patrimonialisation est abordée comme un processus dynamique qui produit des conflits, des enjeux et des négociations dans un jeu d’acteurs multipolaire. Cette relation conflictuelle structure des coopérations entre trois niveaux d’expertises : officielle, savante et profane. Ces jeux d’acteurs donnent naissance à la communauté patrimoniale lorsque le rapport des forces entre la matérialité et l’immatérialité des biens patrimoniaux déclenche des conflits. La méthodologie comparative combine une analyse ethnographique qui est accompagnée d’entretiens avec des personnes-ressources, des questionnaires aux résidants et des données sociographiques quantitatives. / This PhD dissertation compares the patrimonialization process in the peri-central neighbourhoods of three heritage cities: Basel, Strasbourg and Valparaiso. Built on two paradigms, the social transaction and the joint regulation, patrimonialization is a dynamic process which produces conflicts, stakes and negotiations in a multipolar actors involvement. This conflicting relationship structures co-operations between three levels of expertises: official, scholar and popular. These actors’ interactions give birth to a patrimonial community whilst the force relationship between the materiality and the immateriality of the patrimonial properties trigger conflicts. The comparative methodology combines an ethnographical analysis including interviews with key resource persons, questionnaires among residents and socio-graphic quantitative data.

Despite the increase of urban populations resulting in people living in close proximity to each other, society continues to operate with a focus on individual desire and hyper-consumption, at the expense of the earth’s ecologies and all that encompasses it. How can we begin to cultivate an alternative consumption model that not only focuses on the conservation of ecologies but also begins to break away from ways in which “habits, routines, social norms and cultural values lock us into unsustainable behaviours”? (Botsman, R., Rogers, R. 2010). Collaboration, through its many forms, be it ‘commons’ or modern-day ‘sharing economy’, continues to be a topic of discussion as a favourable solution to environmental, social and economic issues. This paper and design project explores the everyday practice of collaboration and its potential for activating a network in urban neighbourhoods, specifically in high-density housing. The project explores: how we can share, where we can share, and what we can share, using the sharing of household items as a seed for sustainable development. The resulting project presents methods and guidelines for cultivating collaboration in the form of a multipurpose toolkit. The toolkit “Collaboration is Cultivation” enables individuals to become activists and implement collaborative practices in their own neighbourhood. Through designerly research and a design project I shed light on the potential of the coming-together of neighbors through collaborative lifestyles that can incrementally transform neighborhoods into one’s that are socially and environmentally, sustainable, resilient and thriving.

El Sistema est le nom d’un programme vénézuélien de formation à travers la musique symphonique. Au bout de quarante ans d’existence le nombre d’élèves est impressionnant, de toutes classes sociales. Imité dans plus de 60 pays, El Sistema est une référence mondiale pour l’utilisation de l’art musical comme instrument d’éducation personnelle et sociale auprès des populations de quartiers défavorisés socio-économiquement. Néanmoins, il existe une grande lacune quant à la recherche en sciences sociales sur ce qui est réellement fait au Venezuela et dans les pays qui s’inspirent d’El Sistema.Nous participons à combler cette lacune en appliquant des méthodologies ethnographiques sous un regard sociologique. Pour cela nous avons focalisé la recherche sur l’unité de base d’El Sistema – le núcleo. Il s’agit d’un espace physique, comme une école, où se regroupent des acteurs (élèves, professeurs, parents…) pour des cours de musique au quotidien, en suivant les principes et les méthodes d’El Sistema. Cet enseignement est gratuit et les instruments sont prêtés aux élèves.La double-question posée est : comment se déroulent les actions dans le núcleo et quel est le rôle de chaque type d’acteur qui le constitue ? Pour tenter de répondre à ces questions générales, qui seront approfondies au long de la thèse, nous proposons une analyse comparative entre trois núcleos de trois pays différents : Venezuela, Brésil, Portugal. Dans ces deux derniers, nous avons choisi des programmes de formation musicale inspirés par l’El Sistema vénézuélien : le Neojiba au Brésil ; l’Orquestra Geração au Portugal.Dans chaque programme, nous avons choisi un seul núcleo comme unité d’analyse. C’est donc une recherche multi-située, où sont appliquées des méthodologies qualitatives : observation ethnographique ; entretiens semi-directifs, focus-groups. L’analyse comparative n’est pas normative, elle sert ici à provoquer la pensée grâce aux différences et aux similarités entres les trois núcleos, ce qui complexifie la recherche. Dans les trois terrains de recherche, l’ethnographie est centrale, quotidienne et très intense, pour que l’on puisse illustrer le rôle de chaque type d’acteur dans les núcleos. Nous cherchons à comprendre quelles actions individuelles et collectives se développent dans chaque contexte. C’est le coeur de cette thèse : révéler le plus d’aspects empiriques possibles des núcleos et sous divers angles complémentaires.Pour comprendre les actions dans les núcleos nous avons besoin d’élargir l’analyse, en y intégrant les contextes sociaux, économiques et politiques qui les enveloppent. Les facteurs qui semblent externes ont, eux aussi, beaucoup d’impact sur les actions de chaque acteur et, en conséquence, sur les résultats atteints à travers l’éducation musicale dans les núcleos. / El Sistema is the name of a Venezuelan educational program that uses symphonic music as a tool. After forty years of existence, the numbers of students have increased impressively from all social classes. Reproduced in more than 60 countries, today El Sistema is a worldwide reference in the use of musical art as a tool for personal development and social education among populations living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Yet, there is a gap in social science research on what is really done in Venezuela and in the countries that have been inspired by it.We intend to fill in this gap by applying ethnographic methodologies under a sociological eye. For that, we focus the research on the basic unit of El Sistema – the núcleo. The núcleo is a physical space, like a school, where social actors (students, teachers, parents…) get together for daily music classes, following principles and methods of El Sistema. The lessons are free and the instruments are lent to the students.The starting double-question we ask is: how do the actions progress in a núcleo and what is the role of each of these actors? To answer these questions, we suggest a comparative analysis between three núcleos in three countries: Venezuela, Brazil and Portugal. In the last two, we chose musical education programs inspired by the Venezuelan El Sistema: Neojiba in Brazil and Orquestra Geração in Portugal.In each program, we chose one núcleo as a unit of analysis. It is, therefore, a multi-situated research, in which we apply qualitative methodologies: ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews and focus-groups. The comparative analysis is not normative. Instead, it is a way to complexify, to provoke the researcher’s thinking using the differences and the similarities between the three núcleos. In our fields of research, ethnography is central, carried out daily in a very intense paste, aiming at capturing and illustrating the role of each actor in the núcleo. We want to understand which individual and collective actions are developed in each context. The heart of this thesis is to reveal as many empirical aspects of the núcleos as possible, through diverse complementary angles.To understand the actions in the núcleos we extend the analysis by incorporating the social, economical and political contexts surrounding them. The factors that seem external also have impacted on the actions of each actor and, in consequence, on the results obtained through musical education in the núcleos.

La durabilité urbaine est un sujet de préoccupation contemporain qui a émergé à la fin du 20ème siècle suite à la prise de conscience internationale d'un contexte environnemental et social se dégradant. Les éco-quartiers ou quartiers durables sont une solution proposée pour proposer à une échelle adéquate de nouveaux principes d'aménagements adaptés aux nouveaux enjeux de société.Cette thèse aborde la question de la durabilité urbaine dans les territoires tropicaux, à l'échelle des quartiers. Dans une première partie le débat sur le concept général de durabilité urbaine issu d'Europe du Nord est posé. Il permet de replacer les conditions d'émergence de l'urbanisme durable vis-à-vis de son prédécesseur l'urbanisme moderne. Les principes généraux du concept sont décrits et les sujets qui rassemblent ou séparent la communauté scientifique à ce sujet sont présentés. Dans une seconde partie, le parti de se focaliser sur un éco-quartier adapté au climat local et favorisant le développement de la végétation et d'un mode de vie en extérieur est pris. Des pistes de solutions de conceptions urbaines tropicales sont proposées. Nous créons un outil d'évaluation de durabilité urbaine des éco-quartiers dans ce contexte tropical. Composé de 50 indicateurs séparés en trois axes majeurs considérant les spécificités du terrain tropical, il permet de dresser un portrait global du niveau de durabilité urbaine vis-à-vis de trois niveaux de durabilité : de Base, Performant, Très Performant. Une troisième partie de la thèse, permet d'appliquer cette grille sur le quartier de Ravine Blanche, situé sous un climat tropical humide à La Réunion (Océan Indien), ceci, vis-à-vis des critères de durabilité urbaine. Il s'avère que le quartier passe d'un niveau Non Durable à un niveau de durabilité de Base après rénovation urbaine. Cette thèse permet d'observer l'avancée de la prise en compte du concept de durabilité urbaine dans un territoire tropical humide avec des épisodes de sécheresse. Elle propose aux monteurs de projets souhaitant intégrer le concept de durabilité urbaine, des pistes validées par des principes scientifiques et/ou émanant de praticiens expérimentant depuis plusieurs années les principes de conceptions urbaines et architecturales douces adaptées aux territoires tropicaux. / The urban sustainability is a contemporary preoccupation, because of the international environnemental & social events which take place at the end of the 20th century. Sustainable neighbourhoods are solutions proposed to take in account the new societal stakes into the urban sphere. The intervention scales seems to be adequate to test new conceptions solutions. This phd tried to describe how the concept is adapted into tropical field. In a first part we propose to describe the general concept of sustainability, its emergence conditions, its majors principles and the subjects that gathered or drove apart the scientific community. In a second part we present some specificities of tropical cities, we propose conceptions principles adapted to the climate. We create a tool to evaluate urban sustainability in tropical neigbourhoods. Composed of fifty urban indicators separated into three majors axis, this tool allows to evaluate the durability nivel of urban projects at a quarter scale. We propose three nivel of performance to evaluate durability: Basis, Performant, Very Performant. In a third part of the document, we apply the tool on Ravine Blanche quarter, located into a humide tropical climate, in Reunion island (Indian Ocean). According to the results, thanks to sustainable project of renovation applied on the quarter, Ravine Blanche reaches a Basis level of durability.This phd, allows to evaluate in tropical territories how the concepters take in account the sustainability, comparing to the general concept. It proposes to the urban concepters adapted solutions to deal with the hot climate.

Urban community gardens’ capability to yield aspects of social sustainability has been addressed in previous research. Nevertheless, further studies within this scientific field are requested for, exploring various socio-economic contexts and how such variables impact the outcomes of urban community garden initiatives. By the means of qualitative content analysis of material obtained via interviews and documents focusing on two urban community gardens in Skäggetorp, Linköping, on which a conceptual framework of social sustainability is applied,this study aims to investigate and seek a greater understanding of the potential and challenges of utilising urban community gardens as a planning strategy to foster social sustainability in socio-economic vulnerable neighbourhoods. The study finds that urban community gardens can bring various aspects of social sustainability, which can help meet the needs of socio-economic vulnerable neighbourhoodsin the strive for social sustainability. Many of these aspects are primarily created through the interaction occurring in the gardens. The study further confirms that urban community gardenscan function as educational hubs, allowing residents to practise language skills and learn about societal functions. Additionally, findings indicate that urban community gardens can be of financial significance in socio-economic vulnerable areas, a finding that previously mainly has been identified in studies of developing countries. Moreover, the study finds that urban community gardens allow existing traces of social sustainability to become visible and practised. However, low participation and lacking governmental support can obstruct the utilisation of urban community gardens as a planning strategy to foster social sustainability in socio-economic vulnerable neighbourhoods.

In this section of research, a new crime prevention model for residential neighbourhoods, namely the HONC - against crime model was developed. This model is based on the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles (CPTED). The first three elements of this model are intended to better the function of CPTED in neighbourhoods. The elements are as follows: H = Healthy lifestyle O = Online (Information technology) N = Nature C = CPTED The effectiveness of the elements in the prevention of crime was tested in two gated communities and one open neighbourhood, namely Woodlands Lifestyle Estate, Prairie Estate and Glossa Estate. All these neighbourhoods are situated in Garsfontein, a suburb of Pretoria, South Africa. Woodlands Lifestyle Estate was designed in accordance with these principles. This neighbourhood is situated next to a nature reserve called Moreletaspruit. The fence facing this reserve is a steel palisade to provide a view of the scenery. The other three fences are solid brick. This Estate has two entrances with formal access control. Woodlands has a specifically designed lifestyle centre which contains a gym, squash courts, swimming pool, tennis courts and an entertainment area. Pedestrian routs run from this centralised centre throughout the neighbourhood with water features and adequate lighting. Prairie Estate is also a gated community, fenced off with a brick wall and reachable through one entrance with formal access control. The architectural design of dwellings within this neighbourhood was left to the discretion of different developers. The only area for recreational activity within this neighbourhood is the fenced off club house and swimming pool. Glossa Estate is situated diagonally across Woodlands Lifestyle Estate, and is an open neighbourhood. It has three entrances with one guard patrolling the interior neighbourhood. This neighbourhood was designed with a park as a recreational area. The park was not in use and became overgrown, which created a crime problem, and it was therefore fenced off and the gate locked. Only the element of a healthy lifestyle could be proven as influential in the incidence of crime. The last three elements only served as guidelines and need to be tested in further research. / Criminology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Criminology)