The idea of recognizing the Rights of Nature has emerged as a response and an alternative source of stimulus to tackle today’s environmental problems causing eco-anxiety. This study intends to give insight on how a high level of environmental awareness can contribute substantially to a balanced relationship with Nature. In addition, the study aspires to inspect whether diverse knowledge systems on harmonious development processes can facilitate a new system of relationships between people and Nature. It follows that one of the main aims of this thesis is also to explore how the compound perspectives of different scientific disciplines on the concept of sustainability, especially environmental sustainability, can work together to deliver a strong and unified message to societies: a message at the heart of which is a transformational social change in the way Nature is perceived and treated. The legal recognition of Nature’s intrinsic value is at the centre of this emerging paradigm shift, reflecting a comprehensive people-oriented approach towards Nature. In this light, the study seeks to explore the possible changes which would take place if Fulufjallet National Park embedded in the Scandinavian Wilderness area became a rights-bearing subject of the law. The research is supported by a discourse analysis methodology which has identified a framework of a three-level system of relationships representing a potential shift in the current paradigm of sustainable development in the context of the protected area in the Swedish high mountains. It has been found that acknowledging the legal subjectivity of the national park as a whole, as well as of the natural treasures and the plant and animal kingdoms within it, may encourage people to discover the core value of Nature from an Earth-centered perspective. Furthermore, based on the results of data analysis, the principles and values behind the unique Swedish law called the Right of Public Access may open up a new dimension in the respectful social relations between individuals and Nature by fostering the implementation of the concept of the Rights of Nature and Earth Jurisprudence anywhere in the country.

Sustainability in the tourism industry necessitates ongoing development. This thesis investigates the interrelations between indigenous and sustainable tourism in relation to sustainability definitions and specifically examines the contributions of indigenous values and knowledge to sustainability within the tourism industry. Through a qualitative methodology, two case studies were conducted with semi-structured interviews of two tourist organizations in Sweden and Canada, accompanied by a discourse analysis. The results show that the sustainability outcomes of indigenous tourism practices corresponded to sustainability in sustainable tourism and is in many ways aligned with the UNs global framework. Differences were identified in how sustainability was initiated and achieved. Possible improvements in sustainable tourism could be inspired by indigenous tourism. Key themes were connectedness and appreciation of the land and keeping operations localized. In a broader perspective indigenous knowledge could provide complementary approaches to the global framework of sustainable development in tourism which would lead to a more diversified, localized and authenticity-based development. The thesis contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable development in the tourism industry and emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the contested concept of sustainability.

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Physical inactivity is a cause of health problems globally that cause suffering for people and amass significant costs for states. One way of improving physical activity is by formulating policy and implementing planning decisions that encourage active travel. At the heart of the issue, however, lies the matter of modal choice. A majority of short trips that can be made by foot are made by car, but why do people make this decision? A large number of factors play a part in modal choice, but the role of distance is under researched.This paper set out to research if car familiarity makes a respondent overestimate walked distances, and whethercar drivers cognise distances more or less accurately than pedestrians.Standardised interviews were conducted at Gränby Centrum in Uppsala with 99 respondents who were asked to estimate their travelled distance from home to the interview location in both metres and in time. By utilising network analysis in GIS software, the respondent’s estimates were compared to the ‘objective’ distance travelled. It was found that, contrary to what was hypothesised; respondents that held a driver’s license and respondents that had driven recently did not overestimate their travelled distances more than respondents that did not hold a driver’s license. Findings did, however, suggest that respondents with higher car familiarity tended to both under- and overestimate distances in metres (but not time) to a greater extent than respondents with low car familiarity.

Universities influence the demographic and social landscape of a city, which has an impact on neighbouring areas. This study analyses migration patterns within the Umeå labour market region and identifies areas that are particularly attractive. By understanding these patterns, we can gain a better understanding of different groups, which can help with planning and attraction strategies in a municipality. Although the study shows a clear trend towards urbanisation, there are also tendencies towards suburbanisation. Couples with children are the group mainly moving out of the urban center of Umeå to the countryside, while singles/couples without children are the group attracted to the urban center. The differences in the migration patterns between the different groups suggest that individuals have different push and pull factors. Looking at family disposable income and labour income also reveals pattern that are supported by theories and earlier research. For example, the rural idyll and slower pace can be seen as influencing decisions. This may also be useful to explore in the future, given the change in behavior following the covid-19 pandemic, where interest in the rural areas has increased.

Examensarbete undersöker rumslig tillgänglighet av livsmedelsbutiker inom Karlstads kommun. Studien fokuserar på butikskedjor som exempelvis Ica och Coop, som spelar en central roll i att tillhandahålla mat och andra nödvändigheter för befolkningen. Syftet med studien är att analysera tillgängligheten till livsmedelsbutiker genom gång- och cykeltrafik, med målet att förbättra folkhälsanoch värna grönare trafikalternativ.För att uppnå detta mål användes geografiska informationssystem (GIS) för att utföra rumsliga analyser. ArcGIS Pro användes för att skapa en nätverksdataset som möjliggjorde nätverksanalyser, inklusive OD-kostnadsmatrisen för att beräkna antalet tillgängliga butiker per stadsdelsområde ochtjänsteområden från livsmedelsbutikerna. Befolkning- och inkomstdata integrerades för att inkludera socioekonomiska aspekter i analysen.Resultaten visar att det finns betydande skillnader i tillgänglighet mellan olika stadsdelar och transportmedel. Tingvallastaden framstår som ett område med mycket god tillgång till livsmedelsbutiker inom både gång- och cykelavstånd, medan andra områden har lite till ingen tillgång. Studien finner att äldre personer oftare (5 %) bor närmare butiker inom gång- och cykelavstånd jämfört med den totala befolkningen.Arbetet belyser vikten av att använda GIS för att förstå och förbättra tillgängligheten tilllivsmedelsbutiker. GIS baserade nätverksanalyser har potentialen att integrera relevant geodata för en effektiv, informativ och mångpräglad analys som kan användas för att förbättra både folkhälsa och miljövänliga transportmedel. / The thesis investigates the spatial accessibility of grocery stores within the Karlstad municipality. The study focuses on retail chains such as Ica and Coop, which play a central role in providing food and other necessities for the population. The purpose of the study is to analyze the accessibility of grocery stores through walking and cycling traffic, with the goal of improving public health and promoting greener traffic alternatives.To achieve this goal, geographic information systems (GIS) were used to perform spatial analyses. ArcGIS Pro was utilized to create a network dataset that enabled network analyses, including the OD cost matrix to calculate the number of accessible stores per district and service areas from the grocery stores. Population and income data were integrated to include socioeconomic aspects in the analysis.The results show significant differences in accessibility between different districts and modes of transport. Tingvallastaden stands out as an area with very good access to grocery stores within both walking and cycling distance, while other areas have little to no access. The study finds that older people are more likely to live closer to stores within walking and cycling distance compared to the total population.The results show significant differences in accessibility between different districts and modes of transport. Tingvallastaden stands out as an area with very good access to grocery stores within both walking and cycling distance, while other areas have little to no access. The study finds that older people are more likely to live closer to stores within walking and cycling distance compared to the total population.The work highlights the importance of using GIS to understand and improve the accessibility of grocery stores. GIS based network analysis has the potential to integrate relevant geodata for an efficient, informative, and multifaceted analysis that can be used to enhance both public health and environmentally friendly transportation.

This study examines the dynamic transformation of the ICT cluster in Kista Science City, Sweden. Over the past few decades, Kista has been a prominent ICT hub, historically compared to Silicon Valley. However, recent years have seen significant changes as major companies such as Polarium, CGI, Oracle, and Microsoft have relocated to other parts of the Stockholm region. This qualitative study investigates the implications of these relocations on the cluster's dynamics, focusing on local buzz and global pipelines. Through semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders, including large and small enterprises, the research explores how geographical proximity affects collaboration, innovation, and knowledge transfer within the cluster. The findings suggest that while geographical proximity remains crucial for fostering trust and informal knowledge exchange (local buzz), the establishment of structured external networks (global pipelines) is equally important for maintaining competitive advantage. The study concludes that Kista Science City still holds significant potential as a dynamic cluster, provided it adapts to the evolving needs of its constituent companies and continues to integrate both local and global knowledge flows.

A symbolic landscape of Morocco is the square Jemaa el-Fna, in the Medina of Marrakech, listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Jemaa el-Fna square welcomes thousands of tourists each day, and the tourism industry is the second largest contributor to Morocco's GDP. However, the square currently faces serious threats due to urbanization and intensive tourism.This study aims to uncover the interconnections and tensions between cultural heritage and tourism, centering on Jemaa el-Fna square. Through an observational study, interviews with tourist operators and a survey for visitors, the study can reveal that tourism leads to commercialization and an overdependence on the tourism industry. The study demonstrates how institutional initiatives aim to preserve Medina's traditional and cultural aspects and thus are involved in shaping how heritage is created and maintained. The study concludes that the relationship between cultural heritage and tourism is indeed an intricate relationship. The tensions in the relationship expresses itself in the overdependence of tourism, the commercialisation of heritage and the power imbalance that has impacted the site historically and in the present. Meanwhile, the heritage tourism at the site seems to be an active process with tourists being involved in the cultural heritage they observe and engage in, making them a part in shaping the Moroccan heritage at present.

Denna studie undersöker utmaningar och möjligheter för företag i Stockholms skärgård i relation till säsongsbetonad turism och hållbar utveckling. Studien fokuserar på att förstå hur dessa företag hanterar de ekonomiska, ekologiska och sociala effekterna av säsongsvariationer, samt hur de samarbetar med andra aktörer för att främja hållbarhet. Genom kvalitativa intervjuer med fem företag inom restaurang, hotell- och kulturbranschen, avslöjar studien att säsongsvariationer påverkar den ekonomiska stabiliteten och resursutnyttjandet hos företag markant. Företagen tillämpar olika strategier för att mildra dessa effekter, såsom att organisera evenemang under lågsäsongen, diversifiera sina tjänster och justera prissättningen baserat på säsongens efterfrågan. Miljöutmaningar, inklusive avfallshantering och infrastrukturella begränsningar, lyfts också fram, vilket visar på behovet av förbättrat samarbete med lokala myndigheter. Socialt sett kvarstår problemet med att behålla personal under lågsäsongen, där företagen försöker erbjuda kontinuerliga anställningsmöjligheter. Studien drar slutsatsen att medan säsongsbetonad turism medför betydande utmaningar, kan effektivt samarbete och innovativa strategier möjliggöra driften av hållbara verksamheter i skärgården. Förslag på framtida forskning är att inkludera perspektiv från andra intressenter, såsom kommuner och turister, för att få en heltäckande förståelse av komplexiteten i att hantera säsongsvariationer inom turism.

This research aims to investigate the diverse uses of thermal springs and to develop strategies to identify those most appropriate for Sagole with due regard given to the economic, social and environmental aspects. The aim specifically determines the optimum use of the Sagole thermal spring. The following potential uses for Sagole were identified, discussed and analysed in terms of the environmental, social and economic aspects: tourism, aquaculture and geothermal education. The potential cost and benefit of each were also analysed. According to the research finding, the establishment of a Geothermal Education Centre appears to be the most sustainable project with the highest Feasibility Index. It is followed by Health Tourism and then Aquaculture. / Environmental Sciences / D. Phil. (Environmental Management)