This study focuses on how spatial circumstances affect property owners’ preference toward sustainable urban development, in the form of three-essays. In the first essay, property owners’ preference toward the concept of compact development is identified. Compact development is an increasingly popular concept that includes multiple aspects, such as mixed land use, high density, and pedestrian/transit-friendly options. Previous hedonic literature on the comprehensive effect of compact development is limited. Also, spatial dependence in the data, something likely endemic to compact development, has not yet been thoroughly addressed. This study uses a spatial fixed-effect model, a spatial-autoregressive model with auto-regressive disturbances (SARAR), and a spatial fixed-effect SARAR model to determine the price effect of “compactness” in a major U.S. metropolitan area. By analyzing of 47,000 sales records in Fulton County over a decade, this study indicates that home buyers prefer to have smaller, more diffuse greenspace nearby, rather than a large, concentrated greenspace at a longer walking distance. High parcel density and diverse land use is consistently disvalued, and the premium on accessing public transportation is not identified among all models. No specific trend over time has been observed, despite the recession starting in 2008. Finally, a comprehensive index of compactness shows relatively high willingness-to-pay for compact development. The second essay tests the spatial spillover of signaling within the pursuit of LEED certification. The benefit of pursuing green building certification mainly comes from two aspects: the cost-effectiveness from energy efficiency and the signaling consideration, including the premium on property values, benefits from a better reputation, morality values, or purely pride. By analyzing all new constructions that received LEED certification from 2000 to 2012 (LEED-NC v2.0 to v2.2) in the U.S., this study tries to identify the size of the signaling effects, and spillover of signaling, as building owners pursue LEED certification. The results show that the signaling effect affects decision making in pursuing LEED certification, especially at scores around thresholds. The size of signaling effects differs among different owner types and different certificate levels. For the Gold level or below, government and non-profit-organization owners value signaling more than do profit-seeking firms. At the Platinum level, there is no significant difference among owner types. This study also finds that the signaling effect clusters spatially for government and profit-seeking firms. Finally, the results show that the cluster of signaling is independent from the cluster of LEED buildings, indicating that mechanisms behind the cluster of signaling are different from those of LEED constructions. The third essay tests the distance effect on the support for Atlanta BeltLine. Atlanta BeltLine, a large urban redevelopment project currently underway in the center of Atlanta, transforms 22 miles of historical railroad corridors into parks, trails, pedestrian-friendly transit areas, and affordable housing. This study aims to determine the distance effect on the support of Atlanta BeltLine and whether the implement of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) affects the support. The contributions of this exercise are twofold. First, it demonstrates the risks and remedies to missing spatial data by solving the technical problem of missing precise spatial location values. Second, it tests underlying reasons why distance can help explain the level of support that Atlanta BeltLine has received, with striking implications for theories like the Homevoter hypothesis. Survey data used in this study was conducted in summer 2009, about three years after the declaration of the project. The support by both homeowners and renters significantly declines as distance from the BeltLine increases. However, when residents’ tendency to use BeltLine parks and transits is entered as a variable, the distance effect disappears. By indicating that the distance effect comes from homeowners’ and renters’ the accessibility to BeltLine amenities, the result rejects the homevoter hypothesis, which holds that property value increment is the main mechanism behind support. The results also show that whether or not a homeowner or renter is a parent in City of Atlanta affects a person’s support of the BeltLine. These results lead to the conclusion that the concern of TIF affecting future school quality hampers the support of the project.

A practicum report for the degree of Master of Environmental Science, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Miami University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-73).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 329-341). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 329-341). Also available on the Internet.

This graduation theses describes walk, cyclist, ski-ing and waterman{\crq}s tourist roads and educational trails in the Novohradské Mountains, its highlands and in part of the Třeboňská basin {--} in the territory demarked by tourist map {\clqq}Novohradské Mountains``, from edition Club of czech tourists, in ratio scale 1:50 000. Particular roads are described in text and in general tables, whereby is possible easy reproach the character of mentioned tourist roads. Methodology of work, which was taken over from D. Bobrová (2002) and description of particular tourist roads, is a substantial part of graduation theses. Introductory chapters specify the respective area from physical-geographic and social-geographic point of view. The appendix is formed by gazetteer, which processed D. Bobrová (2002) and by graphic part, formed by photographies.

The objective of this diploma thesis is search processing of tourism, his problematics and protection of the nature. In the other part this thesis deal with analysis of hiking trail in Labske piskovce PLA in focus of potentional atractive with proposal of new hiking trails in this location. Analysis containe all hiking trails in this location according to colored tourism distinction of trails. Proposal of new hiking trails was formed with regard on protection of nature thus at the same time was surrounding area approached for visitors as much as possible. Proposal comprise new and turisty often attended attractiviness. This proposal can produce increase of attractiviness in this district and the influx of new turists.

The thesis consists of two main parts: a theoretical one which includes a separate chapter about the Jizera Mountains as a whole, introducing their geological structure, climate, botanical and zoological species and three public figures connected with the Jizera Mountains. The second part is a practical one. The first chapter which is divided into ten sub-chapters, introduces typical vertebrates, especially those which can be included in education at primary schools and grammar schools. The next chapter mentions nature trails which are later suggested as enriching elements in zoological excursions. These must follow the official paths within the nature conservation area. Certain thought in this thesis is also given to the SPA (Special Protection Area) established to protect the black grouse and the boreal owl. The last but one chapter involves selected centres of ecological education and other organisations organising programmes focused on vertebrates. Then there is classification of primary and secondary education with emphasizing a short survey of which biology textbooks are used at primary schools around Jablonec nad Nisou. Education at secondary schools is supplemented with international researches called PISA and TIMSS serving as a base for the last chapter, which is about enquiry based...

Comment l’imaginaire des lieux issu de la littérature contribue-t-il à valoriser un territoire ? À l’heure où des territoires ruraux, soucieux de renforcer leur attractivité, mènent des actions visant à renouveler leur image, la littérature patrimonialisée peut être considérée comme une ressource : maisons d’écrivains, routes ou sentiers littéraires contribuent ainsi à l’inscription territoriale d’une littérature et de ses imaginaires. Cette thèse s’intéresse à l’invention de tels lieux, à leur animation et à leur intégration territoriale. Elle traite aussi de leur réception et de leur appropriation par les habitants et les touristes. Une analyse statistique des maisons d’écrivain en France dresse une typologie qui souligne les spécificités structurelles, spatiales et organisationnelles de ces lieux polymorphes. En complément,des études de cas renseignent sur la singularité de la relation entre l’auteur et le lieu, et sur la dynamique de la maison en tant que projet de territoire multi-acteurs. Deux méthodes sont mises en œuvre afin de saisir les représentations des visiteurs : une enquête par questionnaire, prolongée par l’analyse d’une voie plus créative et sensible d’expression, les livres d’or. L'analyse des questionnaires souligne la diversité des motifs de visite, non exclusivement littéraires. L'étude des livres d'or met en évidence la dimension immersive d’une expérience où les émotions vont à la rencontre des souvenirs et des imaginaires. Une typologie multiscalaire de parcours littéraires est ensuite réalisée, enrichie par des études de cas. Du Berry à la Provence, des Cévennes au Québec en passant par le Livradois, des parcours littéraires proposent de découvrir une région en compagnie d’un écrivain et de personnages imaginaires. Transcendant l’habituelle démarcation entre le réel et la fiction, ils redéfinissent ainsi la notion d’authenticité. L'ensemble des éléments analysés dans la thèse concourt à qualifier une forme de tourisme combinant connaissance, imaginaire et expérience des lieux, dressant les contours d’une nouvelle pratique touristique de l’espace : celle d’un tourisme littéraire tourné sur l’itinérance et la créativité / How does the imaginary of places stemming from literature contributes to enhance a territory? At a time when rural areas, aspiring to strengthen their attractiveness, take actions to renew their image, the literary heritage can be considered a resource: writers' houses, routes or literary trails thus contribute to the territorial inscription of literature and its imagination. This thesis is interested in the creation of such places, in their animation and in their territorial integration. It also deals with their reception and with their appropriation by the inhabitants and tourists. A statistical analysis of writer's houses in France allows for a typology which underlines the structural, spatial and organizational specificities of these polymorphic places. In addition, case studies inform about the peculiarities of the relation between author and place, and about the dynamics of the house as multi-actors territorial project. Two methods are implemented to seize the visitors’ representations: a survey by questionnaire, extended by the analysis of a more creative and more sensitive way of expression, visitors' log (« livres d’or »). The analysis of questionnaires underlines the diversity of the motives for visits which are not exclusively literary. The study of visitors' log highlights the immersive dimensions of an experience where feelings meet memories and imagination. A multiscalar typology of literary routes is then realized, enriched by case studies. From Berry to Provence, from the Cévennes to Quebec via Livradois, literary routes propose the exploring of a region together with a writer and imaginary characters. They so redefine the notion of authenticity by transcending the usual demarcation between the reality and fiction. All the analyzed elements contribute to consider a form of tourism combining knowledge, imagination and experimentation of places, drawing the outlines of a new tourist practice of space : that of a literary tourism focused on itinerancy and creativity

Planner, conservationist, forester, and geographer Emile Benton MacKaye envisioned a revolutionary, extensive foot trail that would promote the interaction between communities throughout the United States' distinctive eastern region. His 1921 plan for the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) focused on balancing the basic requirements for life in and out of the urban context by developing an ‘indigenous’ environment and developmental mold (Bower 1962, 372). However, almost a century has passed, and MacKaye's approach to the planning process, organization, environmental development, and the rural economy remains hidden beneath the mountain forest canopy extending from Maine to Georgia. Four of the forty-nine designated communities in the A.T. CommunityTM program today were analyzed to determine if and which aspects of Benton MacKaye's original vision of regional planning were achieved 100 years later. On-the-ground observations were collected through informal interactions with A.T. CommunityTM Supporters, unaffiliated businesses and organizations, and locals while traveling to each of the four A.T. regions, defined by the A.T. Conservancy (ATC). It was essential to understand if the designations transformed trailside neighborhoods into outdoor recreational and social hubs and shifted community perspectives toward the Trail and the ATC. Although most people think of the A.T. purely in terms of the opportunities it provides for outdoor and wilderness experiences, it is also perceived as a critical focus for communities' economic growth and vitality. The research reveals that the program and its complimentary ‘Supporter’ system for local businesses are ineffective. The ATC branded these trail towns. Yet, no elements of MacKaye’s vision or community improvements have truly been recognized following A.T. CommunityTM designations within the last decade. Regardless of geographic, temporal, internal, and physical aspects, this outcome was consistent in all four case study communities (Monson-ME, Harpers Ferry-Bolivar-WV, Damascus-VA, and Hot Springs-NC).

Ce mémoire a été réalisé avec les appuis financiers du Conseil de recherche en sciences humaines du Canada (CRSH) et du Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC). / En prenant comme point de départ la trilogie 1984 d’Éric Plamondon et Pourquoi Bologne d’Alain Farah, romans tous publiés sur papier, ce mémoire se consacre à saisir ce qui change dans la lecture du texte à une époque où l’omniprésence des outils numériques bouscule nos modes de production et de réception des contenus. La réflexion se développe autour du constat que la littérature, même celle qui se publie et se lit toujours sur support imprimé, ne peut être considérée en marge de ces remaniements dont les ramifications s’étendent bien au-delà de l’usage de l’ordinateur et des écrans. Avec la conviction que ces changements doivent se penser dans la continuité et non dans la rupture, la lecture sera ici considérée comme une pratique et, en refusant son essentialisation, il s’agira de revisiter certaines théories canoniques afin de saisir la teneur de ces modulations dans le « savoir-lire » du texte. À travers diverses lectures des romans à l’étude, le premier chapitre dessine les contours d’une lecture connectée, qui se fait sous l’égide du réseautage. Le deuxième chapitre, via une lecture des théories d’Umberto Eco, soutient que ces changements affectent tout particulièrement la question de la compétence du lecteur, qui est réinterrogée à la lumière de l’accessibilité de l’information inhérente à l’époque numérique et des glissements épistémologiques que cette accessibilité sous-entend. Le troisième et dernier chapitre propose, à partir des textes de Plamondon et de Farah, des parcours de lecture qui alternent entre la page du livre et l’écran d’ordinateur où sont réinterrogées les frontières du littéraire et de l’informationnel. Des relations qui se tissent entre les pratiques de lecture et l’usage des outils numériques émerge une façon de lire définie ici comme une « lecture augmentée » du texte, qui suppose un lecteur actif qui, à travers ses parcours particuliers, questionne, doute, et prend position. Un lecteur, bref, qui ne se contente pas d’actualiser un contenu, mais qui le performe. / Taking as a starting point Éric Plamondon’s 1984 trilogy and Alain Farah’s Pourquoi Bologne, both in their published form, this master’s dissertation is dedicated to grasp the changes that occur in the act of reading in an age where the ubiquitous digital tools are challenging the way we produce and receive content. The thesis takes form around the premise that literature, even that which is published and read in a print form, cannot be considered excluded from these considerations, whose ramifications extend far beyond the use of computer and screens. With the strong belief that these changes need to be seen as a continuity rather than a fracture, the act of reading will be considered here as a practice and, by refusing it’s essentialisation, will serve as a stepping-stone to revisit certain canonical theories and understand these modulations that affect the reader’s “digital literacy”, that affects the reading patterns even when a text does not present itself in a digital form. Through various interpretive trails across Plamondon and Farah’s novels, the first chapter draws the outline of a “connective reading” that is highly influenced by the omnipresence of the network. The second chapter, by revisiting Umberto Eco’s theories, maintains that these changes affect the reader’s competence, which is re-examined in light of the informational accessibly inherent at the digital era and the epistemological shifts that accessibility implies. The third and final chapter offers different reading trails through Plamondon and Farah’s novels that alternate between the book page and the computer screen, in which the boundaries between literature and information are challenged. In the relationships that develop between reading practices and the use of digital tools emerges a certain interpretational way that is described here as “augmented reading”, concept that implies that the reader is taking actions toward the text and, through this course, questions, doubts, challenges and takes position. A reader, in short, that is not just actualizing content, but who performs it.