This research analyzed declining resource-based communities in the Rainy River District, Ontario, that is typical of the Canadian middle north, and explored their central features using several qualitative and participatory techniques. This work disengages from traditional demographic-economic analysis of decline and offers an alternative multidimensional interpretation. The analysis centers on the role of networks, diverse forms of capitals and conflicts. Literature on regional development, New Regionalism, social networks, capital, conflict, and complex evolving social systems informed the conceptual framework to guiding this research. Among other findings this research demonstrated that: First, economic-demographic “size type” indicators are insufficient to explain the complex, multidimensional, network-based, conflictive and highly politicized nature of decline. Policies based on these type of indicators are misleading and can reinforce the path dependence process of single-industry rural communities. Second, networks, capital and conflicts can be significant in the process of decline. They can speed or slow the process of change. Potentially, they can be transformed and used when planning for decline so as to steer the process toward sustainable rural planning and development. Additional factors identified and proposed for this framework included: learning, interaction, cooperation, connectivity, and psychological and institutional factors restricting rural communities from reacting to decline, and escaping from path dependence. Third, decline should be recognized in order to start a process of planning for decline and rural development. Top-down planning and policy initiatives in the Rainy River District and across North Western Ontario have not recognized a general planning gap and have glossed over the need to approach decline, and rural development generally, using a local perspective and grassroots initiatives of people and communities. Basic elements to plan for decline in rural regions were described. Fourth, rural regions, ethnicity, and power, are insufficiently recognized by New Regionalism theory. Including these elements can benefit the theory and practice of rural planning and development. Analysis of networks and planning is a mutually reinforcing approach, useful for the study and planning of rural areas. Finally, rural decline studies in Canada should pay attention to factors of ethnicity. Significant structural violence against First Nations remains in rural regions.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:51:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMV.pdf: 1500642 bytes, checksum: 5aff41282fda3c1a51a4e437bc4fc2d9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-06-29 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / The family small farms represent a very important segment in the national economy since it plays an important role in food production, incoming generation and distribution and land occupation. However, this segment is characterized by an inadequate management, which commits its competitiveness. The main aim of this reasearch is to propose a practical and accessible production planning model for vegetables raising family farms, which can help them to consider internal and external factors when deciding what to produce. The methodology had four main stages: (i) interviews with families that raise vegetables from São Carlos, São Paulo, in order to identify the production systems and the planning of the production activities; (ii) working out a planning model; (iii) interviews with rural management and vegetable production specialists, to confirm factors used in the model, the weights given to each factor and the notes for the possibilities of the producer reality; (iv) correction and final mode s working out. When interviewing the producers, it was observed that they don t have many years of formal education, most of the families are led by 30 39 years old men, there is a wide participation of women in the labor and few producers have employees. Within 33 interviewed producers, 11 have decided to get specialized, producing from 1 to 5 vegetables options, specially the green ones. The producers do not have a structured methodology to make decisions, and they do not consider all the factors that may influence the decision of what they should produce. Concerning to the planning model, the considered factors in the decision were grouped in internal (natural, human, financial and technological resources) and external (demand, offer and support services), but the use of weights were adopted only with the internal factors. The interviewed specialists emphasized the importance of making the correct decision about choosing the product variety to be raised and also about getting organized through associations and cooperatives. This study is an initial reasearch , which may be used as a subsidy for other rural planning studies. Although the decision model proposed has been developed to be used by producers, it may be also useful for rural projects, cooperatives, associations and financial agents, since it proposes a methodology to analyze the products options. / A produção familiar apresenta-se como um segmento muito importante dentro da economia nacional, devido ao seu importante papel na produção de alimentos, geração e distribuição de renda e ocupação da terra. Porém, este segmento tem se caracterizado por um gerenciamento inadequado de suas atividades, comprometendo a sua competitividade. O objetivo principal deste trabalho é a elaboração de um modelo prático e acessível, para o planejamento das atividades produtivas em UPRs familiares de hortaliças, que auxilie o produtor rural a considerar os fatores, tanto internos quanto externos à sua propriedade, que influenciam na sua tomada de decisão sobre o que produzir. A metodologia do trabalho consistiu de quatro etapas principais: (i) pesquisa de campo com produtores familiares de hortaliças de São Carlos (SP), identificando os sistemas de produção de hortaliças e a forma de planejamento das atividades produtivas; (ii) elaboração do modelo de planejamento; (iii) pesquisa de campo com especialistas nas áreas de gestão rural e produção de hortaliças confirmando os fatores considerados no modelo, os pesos atribuídos a cada fator e as notas para as possibilidades de situação do produtor; (iv) correção e estruturação final do modelo. No diagnóstico das propriedades, observou-se que o nível de escolaridade é baixo, a maioria das famílias é chefiada por homens com idades entre 30 e 49 anos, há uma significativa participação da mão-deobra feminina na produção e poucos são os produtores que têm empregados. Dos 33 entrevistados, 11 optaram por se especializarem, trabalhando com 1 a 5 opções de produtos, sendo observada a predominância do cultivo de folhas. Os produtores não possuem uma metodologia estruturada de tomada de decisão, não sendo considerados todos os fatores que influenciam na decisão sobre o que produzir. Com relação ao modelo de planejamento, os fatores a serem considerados na tomada de decisão foram agrupados em fatores relacionados ao ambiente interno (recursos naturais, humanos, financeiros e tecnológicos) e ao ambiente externo à UPR (demanda, oferta e serviços de apoio), tendo sido possível desenvolver uma estrutura de pesos para a tomada de decisão apenas para os fatores internos. Os especialistas ressaltaram a importância de o produtor decidir corretamente a variedade de produtos que vai produzir e de se organizarem em associações ou cooperativas. O estudo aqui apresentado é um trabalho inicial, que serve como subsídio para outros trabalhos na área de planejamento rural. Embora tenha sido pensado para ser aplicado e utilizado pelo próprio produtor, o modelo desenvolvido neste trabalho pode ser útil para projetos de assistência técnica, extensão rural, cooperativas, associações e agências financiadoras, uma vez que propõe uma metodologia de análise das opções de produção.

Poucas referências teóricas e práticas são encontradas em relação ao planejamento territorial de áreas rurais a nível municipal no Brasil, indicando a necessidade de ampliar a discussão sobre o tema. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho busca dar contribuições à discussão teórica e a uma proposta em torno da elaboração e revisão do Plano Diretor Municipal como instrumento capacitado e responsável por atuar no planejamento destas áreas. Para tanto, busca-se na teoria de planejamento ambiental, pontos chave capazes de conduzir a discussão sobre o cenário atual encontrado e nortear uma proposta para práticas futuras. Trazendo o olhar para uma perspectiva mais pragmática, é apresentada uma visão geral sobre a situação atual do planejamento territorial no Brasil, e como o planejamento ambiental interfere ou tem potencial de intervir sobre esta situação. Indo um pouco além e buscando em outro contexto insumos ao debate e conhecimento de outras realidades, o sistema de planejamento holandês é também descrito e analisado, ampliando a visão quanto às dificuldades e possibilidades aqui discutidas. Por fim, com base no referencial teórico e prático desenvolvido, é feita a proposta de uma estrutura base para elaboração e revisão de Planos Diretores, sistematizando e sumarizando propostas às deficiências identificadas. O trabalho foi construído fundamentalmente com base em revisão bibliográfica e documental, além de contar com casos ilustrativos, utilizando reuniões com especialistas e entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Com isto, foi possível mesclar elementos da perspectiva ambiental à perspectiva urbanística predominante no planejamento territorial municipal brasileiro, e fortalecer o debate sobre a necessidade de trabalhar tais perspectivas, seus planos e instrumentos de forma complementar e integrada, incluindo questões de recorte e escala de trabalho, bem como, de participação pública e inclusão de valores sociais no planejamento, culminando na proposta de uma estrutura base. / There are few theoretical and practical references available in relation to spatial planning of rural areas at the municipal level in Brazil, indicating the necessity of a broader discussion about this theme. In this sense, this work aims to contribute to the theoretical discussion and to make a practical proposal regarding the preparation and review processes of the municipal Master Plan, a tool able and responsible for planning these areas. Key points were selected from the theory of environmental planning to conduct the discussion about the actual scenario and to guide a proposal for future practices. A general vision of the spatial planning practice in Brazil was built, also presenting deficiencies and the connections and potential interferences of the environmental planning perspective in this context. Going further and searching for inputs to the debate in another practical context, the Dutch planning system was described and analysed, providing broader ideas in relation to the difficulties and possibilities discussed here. By the end, a basic framework to prepare and revise Master Plans was designed, based on the theoretical and practical referential developed, organizing and summarizing proposals to the identified deficiencies. The work was based on literature and document review, and illustrative case studies, counting on informal meetings with specialists and semi-structured interviews applied to practitioners. With this, it was possible to merge elements from the environmental perspective to the urban planning perspective, which still dominates the municipal spatial planning practice in Brazil, and to strength the debate about working these two perspectives together, their plans and tools, in an integrated and complementary way, including different scales and areas of planning, and emphasizing the importance of public participation and the inclusion of social values in the planning process. By the end, a basic framework was designed.

As transformações na paisagem, no meio-ambiente e nas relações socioespaciais das áreas atingidas pela implementação de Usinas Hidrelétricas na bacia do rio Uruguai, criam uma oportunidade de investigação sobre a implantação de uma Infraestrutura Verde para áreas junto a reservatórios, como um aspecto fundamental no estudo e proposição de modelos de paisagens multifuncionais que contribuam para a conservação dos ecossistemas e de seus processos naturais, e ao mesmo tempo, possibilitem a apropriação e valorização dos recursos paisagístico-ambientais e culturais das margens dos reservatórios hidrelétricos. Assim, o objetivo desta dissertação de mestrado foi avaliar a aplicação do conceito de Infraestrutura Verde na proteção, valorização e aproveitamento paisagístico-ambiental das margens dos reservatórios hidrelétricos propostos para a Bacia do rio Uruguai no seu trecho inteiramente brasileiro , com o estudo de caso específico do trecho do Reservatório da Usina Hidrelétrica Itá situado no município de Itá, no oeste do Estado de Santa Catarina. Para este estudo de caso, foi analisada, então, a organização espacial às margens do lago de Itá. Percebe-se, especialmente na borda dágua deste município, a ameaça de um desenvolvimento urbano desvinculado das questões ambientais e históricas de ocupação do território. Este aspecto pode gerar efeitos irreversíveis à estabilidade ambiental e ao potencial paisagístico e cultural da área. Cada vez mais as demandas turísticas são prioritárias nos processos de decisão, contribuindo para a privatização da orla da cidade que não só aprofunda a segregação social, como também traz prejuízos à paisagem e ao meio-ambiente, comprometendo o próprio turismo, que se baseia na atratividade paisagística da área. O cruzamento de informações referentes ao histórico da cidade, à sua situação atual e aos aspectos biofísicos locais culminou num plano paisagístico que visa integrar a cidade com sua orla e harmonizar os conflitos socioambientais identificados, estabelecendo um contínuo natural de espaços vegetados que articula paisagem, cultura e sociedade. A aplicação dos princípios da Infraestrutura Verde para um recorte espacial delimitado do município de Itá pode caracterizar-se como parte de uma estratégia para o aproveitamento e qualificação das potencialidades urbanas, paisagísticas, ambientais e culturais deste município. Mais do que isso, procura identificar oportunidades e indicar caminhos viáveis para um desenvolvimento econômico e social mais justo, que garanta uma qualidade ambiental e sustentabilidade futura, tanto para o reservatório quanto para as áreas naturais, rurais e urbanas de Itá, com a ideia de construir um lugar mais atrativo para se viver, trabalhar e visitar. / The changes in the landscape and environment and socio-spatial relations in areas affected by the implementation of Power Plants in the Uruguay river watershed creates an opportunity for research on the implementation of a Green Infrastructure for areas along the reservoir, as a fundamental aspect in the study and proposing models of multifunctional landscapes. Such models can contribute to the conservation of ecosystems and their natural processes, aiming at their integration with the appropriation and valorization of landscape-environmental and cultural resources at the waterfront of hydroelectric reservoirs. The objective of this master degree thesis was to evaluate the concept of Green Infrastructure in the protection, valorization, environmental and landscape use of the waterfront of hydroelectric reservoirs proposed for the Uruguay River watershed - in the Brazilian section - with the study case of the section of the reservoir of the Itá Power Plant located in the town of Itá in the western state of Santa Catarina. Was outlined also a proposal for the integration of the city, with the lake created from the implementation of the hydroelectric plant. For this case study was analyzed the new spatial organization on the shores of Ita lake. Especially at the city water edge, the threat of urban development released from environmental and historical land use can be seen, bringing irreversible effects to its environmental stability and its environmental and cultural potential. Increasingly the demands of tourism are priorities in decision-making, contributing to an initial process of privatization of the edge of town that not only deepens the social segregation, but also harms the landscape and the environment, affecting tourism itself, which is based on the attractiveness of the landscape area. The overlay of information relating to the historic city, its current situation and its biophysical local aspects lead to a landscape project that aims to integrate the city with its waterfront and to harmonize the social and environmental conflicts identified, emphasizing the idea of continuous vegetated spaces linking up landscape, culture and society. The implementation of principles of Green Infrastructure for a limited spatial area of the city of Itá can be characterized as part of a strategy for use and identification of urban, landscape, environmental and cultural potentialities in that town. More than that, it seeks to identify opportunities and point the way for a viable economic and social development more equitable, ensuring the environmental quality and sustainable future for both the reservoir and to natural, rural and urban areas of Itá, with the idea of building a more attractive place to live, work and visit.

The island of Gotland is associated with a distinctive nature, high biodiversity and a rich cultural history. However, these values have generated landscape management challenges due to shifting land use. The thesis proceeds from the peninsula of Östergarnslandet which has been recognized as one the most exposed areas to current changes. Simultaneously, Östergarnslandet has been acknowledged to sustain a traditional expression to a greater degree than other highly exposed places. By external recognition and ambition to preserve landscape values, this thesis suggests that there is a venture in altering the identity of the landscape when preserving the tangible. The purpose of this thesis was to show that safeguarding landscapes are far more than just biology but also about recognizing the people living within them. By using the methodology of the EU-horizon project RURITAGE the aim was to understand the area of research and find potential future approaches. By proceeding from Östergarnslandet, the main objective was to explore mental and factual landscapes with an aim to understand current landscape management of the area. Through this, the thesis has also aimed to answer how to safeguard landscape identity in changing landscapes. This was conducted by studying three different Nature 2000 and policy documents in relation to theoretical literature. The study suggests that there is an authorial division recognizing different values within the same landscape. At the same time, locality and the social impact is sometimes overlooked. To find sustainable approaches for safeguarding the landscape identity of Östergarnslandet, this thesis has looked at areas of recognized successful redevelopment. The areas are Southern Öland and Bråbygden. Gathered lessons were discussed in relation to the current landscape management of Östergarnslandet. In this part, two models were presented. The first model shows how transparency of the different sectors’ valuation of the landscape can be a tool to gain understanding and bridge different perception of value. The second model suggest how landscape identity can be sustained through external recognition generating pride and increased local participation.

Until the last half century, land development patterns in the Intermountain West were designed after the Mormon settlement pattern. With its gridiron streets and in-town farmsteads, this pattern gave families the opportunity to grow crops and raise a few animals on their one acre or less in town with the added advantage of having a social life. Over the last century, small farms have dwindled and large farms have increased in size. However, in the Intermountain West the farmstead tradition continues with families who grow gardens and raise animals on their large city lots, who value self-sufficiency, and who thrive in wide open spaces. To better understand the land uses and preferences of this population, a research survey was mailed to a sample pool of residents of Cache Valley, Utah who live on large lots with animal rights. They contributed an array of data about their backgrounds and how they are specifically using their land. Their responses validated the existence of a continued agrarian culture and gave insight on how they felt about trends in conservation subdivisions and common open space. A range of opinions about ideal lot size supported rural planners' suggestions to develop lots of varying sizes to meet the needs of a diverse population. Small farms on large lots can be a valuable part of a sustainable urban and rural environment. Local vegetables and agricultural products bring nature and natural processes back to an urban setting and reduce the environmental footprint imposed by extensive shipping. Culturally, small farmers provide a connection to the past and fulfill a lifestyle choice for a rural-minded population. Particularly in the Intermountain West, planners need to integrate these small farms into their developments to preserve the rural character of towns and cities of the region.

This research examines the perceptions and attitudes of residents in five rural communities located in the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts: Ashfield, Chesterfield, Conway, Goshen, and Williamsburg. The research aims to explore the divide between local residents’ strongly held support for private property rights and a concomitant desire to maintain the qualities that contribute to the social, ecological, and aesthetic experience of a rural town, including a viable farm and forest economy. Previous research in the same project utilized mailed, written surveys. In this case, in-depth, in-person interviews were conducted with ten residents of the study area in order to complement the breadth of information gleaned from these earlier studies. The research goal was to inform planning efforts that strive to balance the preservation of rural character with growth and change. Questions were asked to ascertain the individual’s connection to the rural community, including length of residency, occupation, and other demographic variables. Further questions were posed to learn how participants felt that landowner rights to develop property and government intervention to preserve land could be effectively balanced. Results showed that landowners’ desire to retain their property rights remains in conflict with their wish to see their communities remain rural in the face of new development. Medium-term residents may be the most motivated group to get involved in ways to balance landscape change and development with a need to preserve town character. According to study participants, local governments should focus their efforts on voluntary, cooperative measures. Such measures should ideally minimize bureaucracy and maximize a multi-jurisdictional approach in considering a variety of techniques to resolve tough land-use conflicts. Local land trusts emerged as the best-positioned entity to forge cooperative ventures with farmers, landowners, and others in protecting the places of greatest value to those who live and work in the rural landscape. The need for education and communication was vitally expressed. This study sheds new light on the different nuanced and sometimes conflicting attitudes about preserving the rural landscape, but also offers hope for solutions based on collaborations between local governments, land trusts, and local residents.

Child-friendly spaces are not successfully implemented in South Africa due to problems such as urbanization, development pressure, lack of qualitative open spaces and lack of policy and legislation guiding the planning and protection of such spaces. This study evaluates local and international planning approaches of childfriendly spaces in an attempt to identify best practices and explore how child-friendly spaces can be planned and utilized locally, in South Africa, (especially rural areas such as the Vaalharts district in the North West Province) to develop playful, educational, environmentally preserving and qualitative child-friendly spaces.The research methodology used in this study consist of (i) a literature investigation on concepts of child-friendly environments, qualitative open spaces, rural challenges, as well as current child-friendly policy and legislation, both from an international and local perspective; and (ii) an empirical study, conducted qualitatively by means of Pilot testing and case study evaluation. Local pilot tests were limited, due to a lack of child-friendly spaces in South Africa to, proposed Valhalla Water Park in Cape Town and Irene Village Mall in Pretoria. The case study evaluation consists out of Green Point Urban Park and the Vaalharts Water Innovation Project that is a newly planned, “still in progress”, project. International case studies included examples of successful child-friendly spaces such as La Louviere in Belgium, Chapefield play area and Darnley Park in Scotland, Play Field Farnborough in England, Caronport Spray Park in Canada and Bellevue Redmond Spray Park in Washington. Based on the findings, recommendations are made in terms of the planning and development of child-friendly spaces, incorporating examples such as the provision of spray parks in rural areas in order to create playful, educational, environmentally preserving and qualitative outdoor spaces. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Child-friendly spaces are not successfully implemented in South Africa due to problems such as urbanization, development pressure, lack of qualitative open spaces and lack of policy and legislation guiding the planning and protection of such spaces. This study evaluates local and international planning approaches of childfriendly spaces in an attempt to identify best practices and explore how child-friendly spaces can be planned and utilized locally, in South Africa, (especially rural areas such as the Vaalharts district in the North West Province) to develop playful, educational, environmentally preserving and qualitative child-friendly spaces.The research methodology used in this study consist of (i) a literature investigation on concepts of child-friendly environments, qualitative open spaces, rural challenges, as well as current child-friendly policy and legislation, both from an international and local perspective; and (ii) an empirical study, conducted qualitatively by means of Pilot testing and case study evaluation. Local pilot tests were limited, due to a lack of child-friendly spaces in South Africa to, proposed Valhalla Water Park in Cape Town and Irene Village Mall in Pretoria. The case study evaluation consists out of Green Point Urban Park and the Vaalharts Water Innovation Project that is a newly planned, “still in progress”, project. International case studies included examples of successful child-friendly spaces such as La Louviere in Belgium, Chapefield play area and Darnley Park in Scotland, Play Field Farnborough in England, Caronport Spray Park in Canada and Bellevue Redmond Spray Park in Washington. Based on the findings, recommendations are made in terms of the planning and development of child-friendly spaces, incorporating examples such as the provision of spray parks in rural areas in order to create playful, educational, environmentally preserving and qualitative outdoor spaces. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Les aménagements ruraux en Syrie du Sud est un sujet qui tient à la densité de l'intérêt porté à l'étude de l'occupation du sol en général, mais aussi de la structuration des terroirs et de la formation des paysages agraires. L'objectif est ici d'étudier les opérations réalisées dans le paysage agraire, leur évolution et les vestiges qu'ils ont laissés dans ce paysage. Une zone cultivée dans le Nord-Ouest de Jabal al-' Arab en Syrie du Sud a été étudiée. La distribution spatiale des aménagements qui datent des époques pré-provinciale, romaine et byzantine a été analysée. Ces aménagements ont été cartographiés grâce à un logiciel du SIG, à savoir QGIS (Quantum GIS). L'étude des sites répartis dans la zone choisie, ainsi que leur terroir, leur parcellaire et les installations associées, a permis d'identifier les processus de l'occupation et de l'exploitation du milieu naturel. Ces travaux permettent de formuler des hypothèses sur une problématique concernant la nature et les phases de l'occupation de cette région. Cette recherche se situe dans un contexte d'archéologie agraire. La question générale abordée est celle des aménagements ruraux que peut fournir l'observation des paysages. / The rural planning works in Southern Syria is mainly driven by the density of the interest paid to the study of the evolution of landscape spatial organization, especially of the formation of agrarian landscapes. The aim of this PhD is to study the operations realized in the rural landscape, their evolution and the vestiges left in this landscape. A cultivated mountainous area of the NO Jabal al-' Arab (Southern Syria) was studied. The spatial distribution of rural planning works, that date from the Pre-provincial, Roman and byzantine were analyzed. These rural planning works were mapped through a GIS software (QGIS). The study of the sites distributed in the study area, their fields and the installations associated to them led to identify the processes of occupation and the exploitation of the natural environment. These works makes it possible to formulate hypotheses on a problematic concerning the nature and the phases of the occupation of this region. This research is situated in a context of agrarian archeology. The general question treated is that of rural planning works that landscape observation can provide.