Encouraging a more sustainable commuter mode shift and improving urban transportation systems have the potential to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), a major contributor to climate change. Replacing some single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) trips with alternative modes of transportation, such as public transit, walking, or bicycling, represents one approach to begin reducing transportation-related emissions. Collectively, these shifts in transportation patterns would help to reduce the negative social, economic, and environmental costs associated with high rates of personal vehicle use. Employer-provided benefits programs have the potential to influence commuter behavior by making sustainable, alternative commuting choices a more convenient and economically feasible option. In addition, the implementation of these programs can have broader benefits such as helping to achieve municipal and regional sustainability goals and improving community members’ physical health and quality of life. This study applies qualitative and quantitative analysis to investigate employee commuting behavior in response to employer-provided benefits in Kendall Square, a neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The employee and employer survey data analyzed in this research was originally collected by TransAction, a transportation consulting firm in the Greater Boston region. To comply with Cambridge’s Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Ordinance, TransAction works closely with companies to coordinate and manage onsite commuter services programs and prepare PTDM Annual Reports. The primary objectives of this research are: 1) to introduce the multi-dimensional benefits of re-envisioning the existing transportation networks; 2) to determine the influence of employer-provided commuting benefits on employee commute mode choice; 2) to provide guidance for employers interested in promoting a more sustainable employee commute mode split; and 3) to present the broader implications and applications of this research for employers, municipalities, and coordinating agencies interested in reducing SOV commuting trips and promoting the use of more sustainable, alternative modes of transportation. Overall, the findings from this research illustrate that while employers have the ability to promote more sustainable transportation choices among their employees, the complexity of the transportation network (and its interdependencies) requires collaboration among all stakeholders to initiate widespread, comprehensive changes.

Le quartier Saint-Henri dans le sud-ouest de Montréal est marqué depuis plusieurs décennies par un processus de gentrification aux conséquences néfastes pour les populations vulnérables, ainsi que plus récemment d’une importante croissance des espaces verts durable afin de favoriser leurs accessibilités à ces mêmes populations. Or, en cherchant à répondre au problème d’inégalité environnementale lié à l’accessibilité, ces espaces verts influencés par l’idéal de durabilité peuvent aussi contribuer à un phénomène d’(éco)gentrification qui à son tour peut engendrer une injustice environnementale attachée aux déplacements des populations vulnérables. Pour comprendre cette problématique, ce mémoire illustre la relation entre (éco)gentrification, développement durable et verdissement des espaces urbains et les conséquences de celle-ci sur les populations vulnérables. La réflexion entourant cette triple relation permet aussi de mettre en lumière un écart entre discours et pratiques d’accessibilité aux espaces verts à partir de la mobilisation d’une approche de justice environnementale critique. En conséquence, la méthodologie de recherche est construite pour vérifier la présence de cet écart dans le contexte spécifique de Saint-Henri et plus particulièrement du triangle vert observé lors du terrain de recherche. Cette dernière mobilise une analyse qualitative transversale des discours et des observations de comportements non verbaux. L’analyse et l’interprétation des données collectées démontrent la présence d’un écart entre les discours et les pratiques d’accessibilité aux espaces verts causés par le phénomène d’(éco)gentrification. Cet écart ancré dans une injustice environnementale vient paradoxalement favoriser le renforcement d’une inégalité environnementale lié à la limitation de l’accès des espaces verts aux populations vulnérables et donc à l’amélioration de leurs conditions de vie. / The Saint-Henri district in the southwest of Montreal has been marked for several decades by a process of gentrification with harmful consequences for vulnerable populations, as well as more recently by an important growth of sustainable green spaces in order to favour their accessibility to these same populations. Yet, in seeking to address the problem of environmental inequity related to accessibility, these green spaces influenced by the ideal of sustainability may also contribute to a phenomenon of (eco)gentrification, which in turn may create environmental injustice related to the displacement of vulnerable neighborhood populations. To understand this issue, this brief illustrates the relationship between (eco)gentrification, sustainable development and greening of urban spaces and the consequences of this on vulnerable populations. The reflection surrounding this triple relationship also allows us to highlight a gap between the discourse and practices of accessibility to green spaces by mobilizing a critical environmental justice approach. Consequently, the research methodology is built to verify the presence of this gap in the specific context of Saint-Henri and more particularly of the green triangle observed during the research fieldwork. It mobilizes a cross-sectional qualitative analysis of discourses and observations of non-verbal behaviors. The analysis and interpretation of the collected data demonstrate the presence of a gap between the discourses and the practices of accessibility to green spaces caused by the phenomenon of (eco)gentrification. This gap, rooted in environmental injustice, paradoxically favors the reinforcement of an environmental inequality linked to the limitation of access to green spaces for vulnerable populations, and thus to the improvement of their living conditions.

This thesis develops quantitative indicators of environmental sustainability for Mexico City and its metropolitan zone of influence (MCMZ). These indicators of sustainability were developed by taking into account seven key variables for the urban environment: the water supply situation, air pollution, transportation and roads, energy, solid wastes, the housing supply and green areas. Based on these indicators and the history of the city's physical evolution since it was founded seven centuries ago, a desirable type of urban form is proposed, one in which there is a "decentralized concentration" which would allow Mexico City to approach sustainability in a time frame that concludes in or about the year 2030. Accordingly, the thesis proposes urban policy measures that, while addressing issues of sustainability, permit Mexico City to face the challenges of globalisation, which would entail transforming it into a "global city'' within a worldwide network of great cities. The urban policy and environmental measures that are recommended anticipate the largest economic, demographic and technological changes that will affect Mexico City, but are above all in harmony with the natural ecosystems of the elevated endorheic basin in which it lies. They do no call for a break with or the alteration of the city's natural landscape or its already constructed historical patrimony and, when possible, they presuppose a new sustainable hydraulic model, capable of restoring lakes and recharging the underground aquifer. Finally, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the recuperation of green areas in accordance with the basin's original natural vegetation. / Geography / D.Litt. et Phil. (Geography)

Na busca por eficiência energética em serviços e produtos de iluminação pública, a maioria das iniciativas concentra-se em procedimentos voltados estritamente à substituição de tecnologias convencionais por outras mais energeticamente eficientes, considerando somente a fase de operação, onde há mais consumo de energia, e o investimento inicial. No entanto, verifica-se que há uma carência de estudos dedicados à análise da sustentabilidade urbana, em particular com o foco na ecoeficiência das iniciativas, em que pese o crescente interesse das empresas por produtos economicamente e ambientalmente sustentáveis. Portanto, a qualidade do serviço de iluminação pública quanto à sua ecoeficiência (componente importante da sustentabilidade urbana) pode ser desenvolvida utilizando-se o pensamento de ciclo de vida de forma simplificada para avaliar tanto economicamente quanto ambientalmente o empreendimento, de modo a viabilizar a comparação de tecnologias, desenvolvimento de projetos e a tomada de decisão para gestores. O objetivo do presente trabalho é propor um modelo analítico que permita, tanto os desenvolvedores de produtos e projetos como a gestores de serviços de Iluminação Pública IP, gerenciar seus recursos para garantir maior ecoeficiência na transição para tecnologias mais avançadas (como o uso de LEDs em produtos), que mitigam os impactos ambientais e o custo desta transição. Como método, utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa, se aplicou a técnica de Avaliação de Ciclo de Vida (ACV) para avaliação ambiental e econômica de produtos e instalações para IP baseados na tecnologia convencional e produtos com tecnologia LED. Com isso obteve-se uma medida da ecoeficiência associada a diferentes soluções. Na sequência, as informações foram analisadas, comparadas e um conjunto de parâmetros foi definido para constituir um modelo para tomada de decisão. Em particular, foi dada ênfase à qualidade da iluminação na definição da Unidade Funcional. Todas as fases do ciclo de vida foram analisadas (extração de matérias primas, fabricação de componentes, integração e fabricação de luminárias, manutenção e descarte). Como resultados, foram obtidos critérios mínimos de comparação para instalações de Iluminação Pública a LED; identificação dos impactos de novas tecnologias (como uso da tecnologia LED) em termos de emissões de gases de efeito estufa (CO2 equivalentes) do setor de IP; identificação dos impactos de novas tecnologias (como uso da tecnologia LED) no Custo do Ciclo de Vida de instalações para IP e foi desenvolvido um Modelo de Análise para integrar o desempenho econômico ao ambiental (ecoeficiência) de produtos e instalações de IP. / Introduction: in the search for energy efficiency services and street lighting products, most of the initiatives focuses on procedures aimed strictly to the replacement of conventional technologies by more energy efficient ones considering only their use phase. However, it turns out that there is a lack of studies dedicated to analyzing this field with a focus on eco-efficiency initiatives, despite the growing interest of companies by products economically and environmentally sustainable. Therefore, the quality of the street lighting service for their eco-efficiency can be developed using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) technique in a systematic and objective manner, in order to facilitate the comparison of technologies, project development and decision making for managers. Objective: To generate an analytical model that allows both product and project developers and managers of street lighting services to manage its resources to ensure greater eco-efficiency in the transition to more advanced technologies (such as the use of LEDs in products) that mitigate the environmental impacts and the cost of this transition. Method: it was applied the LCA for environmental and economic evaluation of products and street lighting facilities based on conventional technology and products with LED technology. Further, the information was analyzed, compared and a set of parameters has been set to provide a model for decision-making. In particular, it was given emphasis to the quality of lighting in the definition of a functional unit. Every stage of the life cycle was analyzed (extraction of raw materials, component manufacturing, integration and manufacturing lighting fixtures, maintenance and disposal). Results: we obtained minimum criteria of comparison for Street Lighting LED installations, identifying the impact of new technologies (such as use of LED technology) in the carbon footprint of the street lighting industry. Besides, we identified the impact of new technologies (such as use of LED technology) in the cost of life cycle of street lighting facilities. Lastly, it was developed an Analysis Model to integrate environmental economic performance (eco-efficiency) products and street lighting facilities.

This thesis develops quantitative indicators of environmental sustainability for Mexico City and its metropolitan zone of influence (MCMZ). These indicators of sustainability were developed by taking into account seven key variables for the urban environment: the water supply situation, air pollution, transportation and roads, energy, solid wastes, the housing supply and green areas. Based on these indicators and the history of the city's physical evolution since it was founded seven centuries ago, a desirable type of urban form is proposed, one in which there is a "decentralized concentration" which would allow Mexico City to approach sustainability in a time frame that concludes in or about the year 2030. Accordingly, the thesis proposes urban policy measures that, while addressing issues of sustainability, permit Mexico City to face the challenges of globalisation, which would entail transforming it into a "global city'' within a worldwide network of great cities. The urban policy and environmental measures that are recommended anticipate the largest economic, demographic and technological changes that will affect Mexico City, but are above all in harmony with the natural ecosystems of the elevated endorheic basin in which it lies. They do no call for a break with or the alteration of the city's natural landscape or its already constructed historical patrimony and, when possible, they presuppose a new sustainable hydraulic model, capable of restoring lakes and recharging the underground aquifer. Finally, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the recuperation of green areas in accordance with the basin's original natural vegetation. / Geography / D.Litt. et Phil. (Geography)

xvi, 298 p. : col. map. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Cities in the United States are increasingly challenged with sharpening inequalities, social exclusion and the effects of a swelling environmental footprint. In response, city officials, political interest groups and residents have seized the framework of urban sustainability to address these mounting social and environmental problems. However, the push for environmental and social sustainability often directly contradicts the push by influential urban business coalitions for cities to be more economically competitive with other locales. I explore the compatibility of urban sustainability and economic development through a case study of Eugene, Oregon's Sustainable Business Initiative, led by Mayor Kitty Piercy. In this Initiative, the interaction between the urban sustainability and economic development discourses calls into question current entrepreneurial strategies and opens the door to exploring the implications of integrating sustainability and social justice concepts with urban economic development policy. Labor-community-environmental coalitions, with a broad vision for sustainability and regional equity, present an alternative to traditional business coalitions' influence on economic development policy and provide a strategy for economic development based in wealth redistribution and environmental health. / Committee in charge: Gregory McLauchlan, Chairperson, Sociology; Yvonne Braun, Member, Sociology; Linda Fuller, Member, Womens and Gender Studies; Michael Bussel, Outside Member, History

O Município, ente autônomo da Federação no Brasil, é responsável pelo exercício de inúmeras competências, dentre as quais está a execução da política urbana através do planejamento da ocupação, com a utilização de instrumentos jurídicos que garantam um Município Ambientalmente Sustentável. A identificação de preceitos do que é Município ambientalmente sustentável pode ser buscado nas matrizes de sustentabilidade urbana, juntamente com uma abordagem do complexo contexto em que está inserido o ente local, uma vez que é influenciado por diretrizes globais, pelo desordenado processo de urbanização e pela crise ambiental, caracterizada pelo risco. Os instrumentos a serem utilizados na sua construção estão previstos no Estatuto da Cidade, tendo como o principal deles o Plano Diretor. Entretanto, esta relação não deve limitar-se a eles, podendo ser adicionados, entre outros, o Código de Obras, o Código de Posturas e o Código Municipal do Meio Ambiente. Na implementação destes instrumentos estão presentes algumas barreiras, entre as quais a difícil regulação do mercado imobiliário, o complexo processo de construção transdisciplinar e epistêmico e os dilemas da gestão democrática das cidades. Além da superação destas barreiras, os instrumentos devem estar vinculados às diretrizes do Estatuto da Cidade; o Plano Diretor, responder ao dinamismo socioeconômico e as questões ambientais; os Governos Locais, ter uma posição promotora, articulando suas competências e com os demais entes; e os instrumentos jurídicos, estarem sistematizados e baseados em princípios e objetivos comuns. O entendimento destes aspectos globais, históricos e socioeconômicos é necessário para a construção de instrumentos jurídicos efetivos de planejamento da ocupação urbana, que garantirão um Município Ambientalmente Sustentável. Adotou-se como método de abordagem o dialético, tendo em vista que o trabalho penetra o mundo dos fenômenos por meio de sua ação recíproca. Além disso, como método procedimental optou-se pelo estruturalista, que parte da análise de um fenômeno concreto para, em seguida, transpô-lo ao nível abstrato e vice-versa, vendo a realidade concreta do ponto de vista interno dos diversos fenômenos. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-06-05T19:18:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Fabio Scopel Vanin.pdf: 1573296 bytes, checksum: 2e1358136da7eaf40163b464e649a52f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-05T19:18:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Fabio Scopel Vanin.pdf: 1573296 bytes, checksum: 2e1358136da7eaf40163b464e649a52f (MD5) / The municipality, autonomous entity of the Federation in Brazil is responsible for the exercise of many powers, among which is the implementation of urban policy through the planning of the occupation, with the use of legal instruments that guarantee an Environmentally Sustainable City. The identification of the precepts of the city that is environmentally sustainable, can be searched at the headquarters of urban sustainability along with an approach to the complex context in which it is being inserted into the site, since it is influenced by global guidelines, the disorderly process of urbanization and environmental crisis, characterized by risk. The instruments to be used in their construction, are referred in the City Statute, with the main one is the Master Plan, however, this relationship should not be limited to them, may be added, among others, Building Code, the Code of Postures and Municipal Code of the Environment. In the implementation of these instruments are present some barriers, including the difficult real estate market regulation, the complex process of building cross-disciplinary and epistemic and the dilemmas of democratic management of cities. In addition to the overcoming of these barriers, the instruments should be linked to the guidelines of the City Statute, the Master Plan, should respond to the dynamic socioeconomic and environmental issues, Local Governments, should have a promoter position, articulating their skills and all other entities, and legal instruments, be systematic and based on common principles and objectives. The understanding of these aspects of global, historical and socio-economic is necessary for the creation of effective legal instruments of urban planning of the occupation, which will ensure an environmentally sustainable city. Adopted as the method of dialectical approach, in order that the work enters the world of phenomena by means of their reciprocal action. Moreover, as procedural method was chosen structuralist, that part of the analysis to a concrete phenomenon, then transpose it to the abstract level and vice versa, see the reality of the internal point of view of various phenomena.

Na busca por eficiência energética em serviços e produtos de iluminação pública, a maioria das iniciativas concentra-se em procedimentos voltados estritamente à substituição de tecnologias convencionais por outras mais energeticamente eficientes, considerando somente a fase de operação, onde há mais consumo de energia, e o investimento inicial. No entanto, verifica-se que há uma carência de estudos dedicados à análise da sustentabilidade urbana, em particular com o foco na ecoeficiência das iniciativas, em que pese o crescente interesse das empresas por produtos economicamente e ambientalmente sustentáveis. Portanto, a qualidade do serviço de iluminação pública quanto à sua ecoeficiência (componente importante da sustentabilidade urbana) pode ser desenvolvida utilizando-se o pensamento de ciclo de vida de forma simplificada para avaliar tanto economicamente quanto ambientalmente o empreendimento, de modo a viabilizar a comparação de tecnologias, desenvolvimento de projetos e a tomada de decisão para gestores. O objetivo do presente trabalho é propor um modelo analítico que permita, tanto os desenvolvedores de produtos e projetos como a gestores de serviços de Iluminação Pública IP, gerenciar seus recursos para garantir maior ecoeficiência na transição para tecnologias mais avançadas (como o uso de LEDs em produtos), que mitigam os impactos ambientais e o custo desta transição. Como método, utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa, se aplicou a técnica de Avaliação de Ciclo de Vida (ACV) para avaliação ambiental e econômica de produtos e instalações para IP baseados na tecnologia convencional e produtos com tecnologia LED. Com isso obteve-se uma medida da ecoeficiência associada a diferentes soluções. Na sequência, as informações foram analisadas, comparadas e um conjunto de parâmetros foi definido para constituir um modelo para tomada de decisão. Em particular, foi dada ênfase à qualidade da iluminação na definição da Unidade Funcional. Todas as fases do ciclo de vida foram analisadas (extração de matérias primas, fabricação de componentes, integração e fabricação de luminárias, manutenção e descarte). Como resultados, foram obtidos critérios mínimos de comparação para instalações de Iluminação Pública a LED; identificação dos impactos de novas tecnologias (como uso da tecnologia LED) em termos de emissões de gases de efeito estufa (CO2 equivalentes) do setor de IP; identificação dos impactos de novas tecnologias (como uso da tecnologia LED) no Custo do Ciclo de Vida de instalações para IP e foi desenvolvido um Modelo de Análise para integrar o desempenho econômico ao ambiental (ecoeficiência) de produtos e instalações de IP. / Introduction: in the search for energy efficiency services and street lighting products, most of the initiatives focuses on procedures aimed strictly to the replacement of conventional technologies by more energy efficient ones considering only their use phase. However, it turns out that there is a lack of studies dedicated to analyzing this field with a focus on eco-efficiency initiatives, despite the growing interest of companies by products economically and environmentally sustainable. Therefore, the quality of the street lighting service for their eco-efficiency can be developed using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) technique in a systematic and objective manner, in order to facilitate the comparison of technologies, project development and decision making for managers. Objective: To generate an analytical model that allows both product and project developers and managers of street lighting services to manage its resources to ensure greater eco-efficiency in the transition to more advanced technologies (such as the use of LEDs in products) that mitigate the environmental impacts and the cost of this transition. Method: it was applied the LCA for environmental and economic evaluation of products and street lighting facilities based on conventional technology and products with LED technology. Further, the information was analyzed, compared and a set of parameters has been set to provide a model for decision-making. In particular, it was given emphasis to the quality of lighting in the definition of a functional unit. Every stage of the life cycle was analyzed (extraction of raw materials, component manufacturing, integration and manufacturing lighting fixtures, maintenance and disposal). Results: we obtained minimum criteria of comparison for Street Lighting LED installations, identifying the impact of new technologies (such as use of LED technology) in the carbon footprint of the street lighting industry. Besides, we identified the impact of new technologies (such as use of LED technology) in the cost of life cycle of street lighting facilities. Lastly, it was developed an Analysis Model to integrate environmental economic performance (eco-efficiency) products and street lighting facilities.

O Município, ente autônomo da Federação no Brasil, é responsável pelo exercício de inúmeras competências, dentre as quais está a execução da política urbana através do planejamento da ocupação, com a utilização de instrumentos jurídicos que garantam um Município Ambientalmente Sustentável. A identificação de preceitos do que é Município ambientalmente sustentável pode ser buscado nas matrizes de sustentabilidade urbana, juntamente com uma abordagem do complexo contexto em que está inserido o ente local, uma vez que é influenciado por diretrizes globais, pelo desordenado processo de urbanização e pela crise ambiental, caracterizada pelo risco. Os instrumentos a serem utilizados na sua construção estão previstos no Estatuto da Cidade, tendo como o principal deles o Plano Diretor. Entretanto, esta relação não deve limitar-se a eles, podendo ser adicionados, entre outros, o Código de Obras, o Código de Posturas e o Código Municipal do Meio Ambiente. Na implementação destes instrumentos estão presentes algumas barreiras, entre as quais a difícil regulação do mercado imobiliário, o complexo processo de construção transdisciplinar e epistêmico e os dilemas da gestão democrática das cidades. Além da superação destas barreiras, os instrumentos devem estar vinculados às diretrizes do Estatuto da Cidade; o Plano Diretor, responder ao dinamismo socioeconômico e as questões ambientais; os Governos Locais, ter uma posição promotora, articulando suas competências e com os demais entes; e os instrumentos jurídicos, estarem sistematizados e baseados em princípios e objetivos comuns. O entendimento destes aspectos globais, históricos e socioeconômicos é necessário para a construção de instrumentos jurídicos efetivos de planejamento da ocupação urbana, que garantirão um Município Ambientalmente Sustentável. Adotou-se como método de abordagem o dialético, tendo em vista que o trabalho penetra o mundo dos fenômenos por meio de sua ação recíproca. Além disso, como método procedimental optou-se pelo estruturalista, que parte da análise de um fenômeno concreto para, em seguida, transpô-lo ao nível abstrato e vice-versa, vendo a realidade concreta do ponto de vista interno dos diversos fenômenos. / The municipality, autonomous entity of the Federation in Brazil is responsible for the exercise of many powers, among which is the implementation of urban policy through the planning of the occupation, with the use of legal instruments that guarantee an Environmentally Sustainable City. The identification of the precepts of the city that is environmentally sustainable, can be searched at the headquarters of urban sustainability along with an approach to the complex context in which it is being inserted into the site, since it is influenced by global guidelines, the disorderly process of urbanization and environmental crisis, characterized by risk. The instruments to be used in their construction, are referred in the City Statute, with the main one is the Master Plan, however, this relationship should not be limited to them, may be added, among others, Building Code, the Code of Postures and Municipal Code of the Environment. In the implementation of these instruments are present some barriers, including the difficult real estate market regulation, the complex process of building cross-disciplinary and epistemic and the dilemmas of democratic management of cities. In addition to the overcoming of these barriers, the instruments should be linked to the guidelines of the City Statute, the Master Plan, should respond to the dynamic socioeconomic and environmental issues, Local Governments, should have a promoter position, articulating their skills and all other entities, and legal instruments, be systematic and based on common principles and objectives. The understanding of these aspects of global, historical and socio-economic is necessary for the creation of effective legal instruments of urban planning of the occupation, which will ensure an environmentally sustainable city. Adopted as the method of dialectical approach, in order that the work enters the world of phenomena by means of their reciprocal action. Moreover, as procedural method was chosen structuralist, that part of the analysis to a concrete phenomenon, then transpose it to the abstract level and vice versa, see the reality of the internal point of view of various phenomena.

Urban areas cover 2% of the Earth’s land surface, host more than 50% of global population and are estimated to account for around 75% of CO2 emissions from global energy use. In order to mitigate existing and future direct and indirect environmental pressures resulting from urban resource use, it is necessary to investigate and better understand resource and pollution flows associated with urban systems.Current urban environmental assessment methodologies enable the quantification of resource use and pollution emissions flows entering, becoming stocked and exiting urban areas. While these methodologies enable to estimate the environmental effect of cities, they often consider urban areas as being static and homogeneous systems. This partial and simplistic representation shadows the complex spatio-temporal interrelationships between the local context and its associated local and global environmental pressures. This characterisation of urban systems is a significant limitation, not only for the urban environmental assessments, but also for the identification of their drivers as it may lead to inadequate urban environmental policies. To overcome this limitation and effectively reduce glocal urban environmental pressures, it is necessary to better understand the complex functioning of cities and identify their drivers.This research developed a comprehensive urban environmental assessment framework that helps to better explicit and understand the complex relationship between an urban system and its environmental profile in a systemic and systematic way. This framework was applied to the case study of Brussels Capital Region (BCR).Results from the application of this framework show that urban systems are neither static nor homogeneous. In fact, different relationships between the urban and metabolic profiles appear when considering different spatial scales and temporal intervals as well as different urban and metabolic metrics. The establishment of BCR’s urban profile showed that components that shape the urban system evolve in an organic way over time. Moreover, the spatial expression of an urban system portrays its heterogeneous aspect and how different metrics of the same urban indicator can reveal distinct facets and challenges for an urban area or a neighbourhood. Finally, it was demonstrated that the relationship between urban indicators is different for each spatial scale and therefore knowledge from one spatial scale is not necessarily transferable from one scale to another. The establishment and analysis of BCR’s metabolic profile also underlined the complex functioning of cities as each flow has a different temporal evolution and spatial expression. Due to the multifaceted and intertwined aspect of metabolic flows it becomes clear that no single parameter enables to explain or predict their behaviour. This leads to the conclusion that a great number of questions still need to be considered, understood and answered before effectively and coherently reducing environmental pressures from cities. The developed framework proposes a number of concrete steps that enable existing and new cities to better understand their metabolic functioning and ultimately transition towards less environmentally harmful futures. / Doctorat en Art de bâtir et urbanisme (Polytechnique) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished