Over the past decade the introduction of MP3’s, file sharing networks and illegal downloading has fundamentally changed the music industry, structurally and spatially. In the wake of this restructuring it is now estimated that 95% of all musicians in Canada operate independently of record companies (Canadian Independent Recording Artist Association or ‘CIRAA’). Digital technologies afford independent musicians greater freedom and control over how and where they live and work. Although economic geographers have been quick to examine the impact of the so called ‘MP3 Crisis’ on record sales and the major record labels, little is known about how changes at the macro-scale affect the working lives of individual musicians in specific locations. As a result, this dissertation focuses on the employment experiences and spatial dynamics of independent musicians in Toronto. Drawing on sixty-five in-depth interviews with musicians and key informants in the music industry, the thesis documents the intersections between technology, work and space. In particular, the analysis highlights the ways in which the new creative and spatial freedoms, associated with independent music production, are accompanied by intensified competition and employment risk, which musicians experience in an increasingly individualized way. Surviving in the current marketplace requires independent musicians to perform a range of new tasks and exhibit a higher degree of professionalism. Accordingly, the research outlines some of the reasons why some musicians are rejecting and reworking traditional bohemian lifestyles, spatial patterns and risk mediation strategies. In particular, there is growing evidence of new forms of networking and of the increased importance of strategic collaborations between musicians and fashion designers. There are also signs that some musicians are relocating from the downtown core to the surrounding suburbs, and that musical talent is becoming redistributed across the city-region. Ultimately, this dissertation demonstrates the need for specialized policies to incubate and retain creative talent in an increasingly global and digital marketplace.

Over the past decade the introduction of MP3’s, file sharing networks and illegal downloading has fundamentally changed the music industry, structurally and spatially. In the wake of this restructuring it is now estimated that 95% of all musicians in Canada operate independently of record companies (Canadian Independent Recording Artist Association or ‘CIRAA’). Digital technologies afford independent musicians greater freedom and control over how and where they live and work. Although economic geographers have been quick to examine the impact of the so called ‘MP3 Crisis’ on record sales and the major record labels, little is known about how changes at the macro-scale affect the working lives of individual musicians in specific locations. As a result, this dissertation focuses on the employment experiences and spatial dynamics of independent musicians in Toronto. Drawing on sixty-five in-depth interviews with musicians and key informants in the music industry, the thesis documents the intersections between technology, work and space. In particular, the analysis highlights the ways in which the new creative and spatial freedoms, associated with independent music production, are accompanied by intensified competition and employment risk, which musicians experience in an increasingly individualized way. Surviving in the current marketplace requires independent musicians to perform a range of new tasks and exhibit a higher degree of professionalism. Accordingly, the research outlines some of the reasons why some musicians are rejecting and reworking traditional bohemian lifestyles, spatial patterns and risk mediation strategies. In particular, there is growing evidence of new forms of networking and of the increased importance of strategic collaborations between musicians and fashion designers. There are also signs that some musicians are relocating from the downtown core to the surrounding suburbs, and that musical talent is becoming redistributed across the city-region. Ultimately, this dissertation demonstrates the need for specialized policies to incubate and retain creative talent in an increasingly global and digital marketplace.

The ‘landscape of fear’ has been proposed as a unifying concept in ecology by linking population distribution patterns through top-down predator-prey mechanisms. The landscape of fear predicts that prey resource selection patterns are influenced by spatially and temporally predictable patterns of predator risk across a landscape. Although the model has been suggested to predict prey space-use patterns across a variety of systems, it remains unclear if individuals exposed to similarly risky environments (i.e., within the home range) will consistently avoid predator risk. I tested the landscape of fear concept using a natural experiment where moose hunting was introduced to a previously hunter-naïve moose population. I quantified hunting risk by developing risk landscape layers derived from harvest data collected over the first three hunting seasons (2011, 2012 and 2013) in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada. Yearly hunter-risk layers were then used as a continuous variable in moose resource selection analysis to understand if moose respond to hunter risk, and if all individuals respond similarly to risk, as predicted by the landscape of fear. I found moose hunters were generally more likely to harvest moose near landscape features that offered easy access and a wide field of view. Moose generally did not avoid hunting risk until the second hunting season, and only during daylight hours. Conversely, at night, moose were generally found to select hunter-risky areas, with the strength of selection progressively increasing each year. I found considerable individual variation in moose response to hunting risk, however, with some individuals failing to alter selection strategies to avoid hunter risk. The motivation to respond to risk may be based on fitness related trade-offs associated with anti-predatory behavior, personality, and/or an individual’s ability to correctly assess risk on the landscape. My research highlights the importance of incorporating individual patterns in resource selection strategies when attempting to address landscape-level processes, such as the landscape of fear concept.

The 2009 H1N1 pandemic caused serious concerns worldwide due to the novel biological feature of the virus strain, and the high morbidity rate for youth. The urban scale is crucial for analyzing the pandemic in metropolitan areas such as the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Canada because of its large population. The challenge of exploring the spatial dynamics of H1N1 is exaggerated by data scarcity and the absence of an immediately applicable methodology at such a scale. In this study, a stepwise methodology is developed, and a retrospective spatial statistical analysis is conducted using the methodology to estimate the spatial dynamics of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in the GTA when the data scarcity exists. The global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses are carried out through the use of multiple spatial analysis tools to confirm the existence and significance of spatial clustering effects. A Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) implemented in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) is used to estimate the area-specific spatial dynamics. The GLMM is configured to a spatial model that incorporates an Intrinsic Gaussian Conditionally Autoregressive (ICAR) model, and a non-spatial model respectively. Comparing the results of spatial and non-spatial configurations of the GLMM suggests that the spatial GLMM, which incorporates the ICAR model, proves a better predictability. This indicates that the methodology developed in this study can be applied to epidemiology studies to analyze the spatial dynamics in similar scenarios. / Thesis (Master, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-30 17:41:28.445

No description available.

À l’heure où la mobilité est accrue et les valeurs culturelles se dirigent de plus en plus vers l’unification, il nous a paru important d’observer les migrations des groupes diasporiques à fortes valeurs identitaires et d’analyser leurs territorialités et leurs dynamiques interculturelles. Ce travail ambitionne donc d’amorcer une étude géographique du phénomène migratoire diasporique. Il porte le regard sur l’analyse de l’espace migratoire qui se forme entre le lieu d’origine du groupe minoritaire et ses pôles d’installation avec un exemple précis sur la minorité ethnolinguistique et religieuse des Mozabites algériens qui migrent et s’approprient différents pôles dans le contexte interne et international. Le choix d’analyser plusieurs pôles d’installation (El-Eulma en Algérie, Marseille et Lille en France) et de mettre en rapport la migration interne et la migration internationale de ce groupe, a permis d’évaluer l’influence des différents facteurs sur la conception des phénomènes migratoires diasporiques. Il a aussi éclairé sur la manière dont l’appartenance identitaire est une variable que le groupe diasporique sollicite fortement pour former son espace et son système migratoire / At a time when mobility is increasing and cultural values are moving more and more towards unification, it was important to observe the migration of diasporic groups with strong identity values and to analyze their territorialities and intercultural dynamics. This work aims to initiate a geographical study of the diasporic migratory phenomenon. It is concerned with the analysis of the migratory space between the original place of the minority group and its poles of settlement with the specific example of the ethnolinguistic and religious minority of the Algerian Mozabites who migrate and appropriate different clusters in the internal and international context. The choice of analyzing several installation clusters (El-Eulma in Algeria, Marseille and Lille in France) and to compare the internal migration with the international migration of this group, made it possible to evaluate the influence of the different factors on the design of diasporic migratory phenomena. It also enlightened on how identity belonging is a variable solicited by the diasporic group to form its space and its migratory system

Invasive Prosopis trees pose significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Several estimates have been made of the spatial extent of alien plant invasion in South Africa. The South African Plant Invaders Atlas (SAPIA) suggested that about 10 million hectares of South Africa has been invaded. However, the rate and spatial extent of Prosopis invasion has never been accurately quantified. The objective of the study is to use Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to: (i) reveal areas susceptible to future invasion, (ii) describe the current extent and densities of Prosopis, (iii) to reveal the spatial dynamics and (iv) establish the extent of fragmentation of the natural vegetation in the Northern Cape Province. Image classification products were generated using spectral analysis of seasonal profiles, various resolution image inputs, spectral indices and ancillary data. Classification approaches varied by scene and spatial resolution as well as application of the data. Coarse resolution imagery and field data were used to create a probability map estimating the area vulnerable to Prosopis invasion using relationships between actual Prosopis occurrence, spectral response, soils and terrain unit. Multi-temporal Landsat images and a 500m x 500m point grid enabled vector analysis and statistical data to quantify the change in distribution and density as well as the spatial dynamics of Prosopis since 1974. Fragmentation and change of natural vegetation was quantified using a combined cover density class, calculating patch density per unit (ha) for each biome The extent of Prosopis cover in the Northern Cape Province reached 1.473 million hectare or 4% of the total land area during 2007. The ability of the above mentioned Remote Sensing and GIS techniques to map the extent and densities of Prosopis in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa demonstrated a high degree of accuracy (72%). While neither the image classification nor the probability map can be considered as 100% accurate representations of Prosopis density and distribution, the products provide use full information on Prosopis distribution and are a first step towards generating more accurate products. For primary invasion management, these products and the association of a small area on a map with Prosopis plants and patches, mean that the management effort and resources are efficiently focused. Further studies using hyper-spectral image analysis are recommended to improve the classification accuracy of the spatial extent and density classes obtained in this study. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Invasive Prosopis trees pose significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Several estimates have been made of the spatial extent of alien plant invasion in South Africa. The South African Plant Invaders Atlas (SAPIA) suggested that about 10 million hectares of South Africa has been invaded. However, the rate and spatial extent of Prosopis invasion has never been accurately quantified. The objective of the study is to use Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to: (i) reveal areas susceptible to future invasion, (ii) describe the current extent and densities of Prosopis, (iii) to reveal the spatial dynamics and (iv) establish the extent of fragmentation of the natural vegetation in the Northern Cape Province. Image classification products were generated using spectral analysis of seasonal profiles, various resolution image inputs, spectral indices and ancillary data. Classification approaches varied by scene and spatial resolution as well as application of the data. Coarse resolution imagery and field data were used to create a probability map estimating the area vulnerable to Prosopis invasion using relationships between actual Prosopis occurrence, spectral response, soils and terrain unit. Multi-temporal Landsat images and a 500m x 500m point grid enabled vector analysis and statistical data to quantify the change in distribution and density as well as the spatial dynamics of Prosopis since 1974. Fragmentation and change of natural vegetation was quantified using a combined cover density class, calculating patch density per unit (ha) for each biome The extent of Prosopis cover in the Northern Cape Province reached 1.473 million hectare or 4% of the total land area during 2007. The ability of the above mentioned Remote Sensing and GIS techniques to map the extent and densities of Prosopis in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa demonstrated a high degree of accuracy (72%). While neither the image classification nor the probability map can be considered as 100% accurate representations of Prosopis density and distribution, the products provide use full information on Prosopis distribution and are a first step towards generating more accurate products. For primary invasion management, these products and the association of a small area on a map with Prosopis plants and patches, mean that the management effort and resources are efficiently focused. Further studies using hyper-spectral image analysis are recommended to improve the classification accuracy of the spatial extent and density classes obtained in this study. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Spatial Dynamics Generated by Agroexports: The Asparragus Boom at IcaDifferent economic and subsistence activities respond to changes or dynamics that are formed in each context. At present, globalization appears as one of the main factors that influence on the economic activities. That is, it is undeniable that all economic activities transform their processes induced by that phenomenon as well as the distinct regions have required to get integrated to that process. In that sense, the states, procuring to get integrated to the global context have contributed to the configuration of the new commercial scenery. This implies that many societies with distinct living patterns have had to adequate to a new commercial dynamics, where exports are the principal connection to the global market. The main objective of this paper is to identify and analyze the spatial dynamics originated as result of agro exports such as the case of the asparagus’ «boom» at the Ica Valley. Moreover, there is a revision of some environmental dynamics or impacts that the process has given way in order to have a correct vision of the topic. To do this, there was a spatial review of the study area based on satellite images in identified dates, from which it was possible to see gross evidence of a spatial transformation and the appearance of new land use forms / Las distintas actividades económicas y de subsistencia responden a los cambios o dinámicas que se forman en cada contexto. Actualmente, la globalización aparece como uno de los factores principales de influencia sobre las actividades económicas. Es decir, es innegable que todas las actividades económicas transforman sus procesos inducidas por ese fenómeno, en la medida que las distintas regiones han requerido integrarse al proceso. En ese sentido, los Estados, al procurar sumarse al contexto global han contribuido a la configuración del nuevo escenario comercial. Esto implica que muchas sociedades con costumbres distintas y formas de vida diferentes han tenido que adecuarse a una nueva dinámica comercial, donde las exportaciones son el principal nexo hacia el mercado global.Es así que el presente trabajo tiene como principal objetivo identificar y analizar las dinámicas espaciales originadas como fruto de las agro exportaciones en el caso del boom de espárragos en el valle de Ica. Sin embargo, se hace una revisión sobre algunas dinámicas ambientales o impactos que el proceso ha suscitado para poder tener una visión más acertada del asunto. Para ello se recurre a una aproximación espacial de la zona de estudio a partir de imágenes satelitales en un periodo de tiempo determinado, a partir del que es posible identificar evidencias saltantes de una transformación del espacio y de nuevas formas de utilización del mismo

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2017-03-08T21:03:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Kátia Mesquita Campos - 2017.pdf: 10625763 bytes, checksum: 5bf457acdd788d858b3198103b4d664d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-03-09T11:14:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Kátia Mesquita Campos - 2017.pdf: 10625763 bytes, checksum: 5bf457acdd788d858b3198103b4d664d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-09T11:14:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Kátia Mesquita Campos - 2017.pdf: 10625763 bytes, checksum: 5bf457acdd788d858b3198103b4d664d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-01-25 / By means of the transformations unleashed by the process of modernization, the territories become integrated and fluid, giving rise to the current socio-spatial dynamics. This process allows the diffusion of the urban centers by the territory and its organization in urban networks that articulate and form the various existing centralities. Before that, this work has as an objective to understand the socio-spatial dynamic of Itapuranga by means of the relationships and interactions established between the municipality and the other centers of the urban network, boosted by the process of territorial modernization. For this, the methodological procedures of research were based on biographic review, data collection in public and private institutions, application of fieldwork, questionnaires and interviews. The present work revealed that the socio-spatial dynamic of a municipality forms by means of the relationships from this center with the others municipalities of the urban network, creating a structure and spatial organization capable of meeting the yearnings of the social relations of production. / Por meio das transformações desencadeadas pelo processo de modernização, os territórios se tornam integrados e fluídos, dando origem a atual dinâmica socioespacial. Esse processo permite a difusão dos centros urbanos pelo território e sua organização em redes urbanas, que se articulam e formam as várias centralidades existentes. Diante disso, este trabalho tem como objetivo compreender a dinâmica socioespacial de Itapuranga por meio dos relacionamentos e interações estabelecidos entre o município e os demais centros da rede urbana, dinamizados pelo processo de modernização territorial. Para isso, os procedimentos metodológicos da pesquisa foram baseados em revisão bibliográfica, levantamento de dados em instituições públicas e privadas, aplicação de trabalho de campo, questionários e entrevistas. O presente trabalho revelou que a dinâmica socioespacial de um município forma-se por meio dos relacionamentos desse centro com os demais municípios da rede urbana, criando uma estrutura e organização espacial capaz de atender aos anseios das relações sociais de produção.