The Earth's climate is changing and cities are facing a warmer future. As the locus of economic activity and concentrated populations on the planet, cities are both a primary driver of greenhouse gas emissions and places where the human health impacts of climate change are directly felt. Cities increase local temperatures through the conversion of natural land covers to urban uses, and exposures to elevated temperatures represent a serious and growing health threat for urban residents. This work is concerned with understanding the interactions of global trends in climate with local influences tied to urban land covers. First, it examines temperatures during an extended period of extreme heat and asks whether changes in land surface temperatures during a heat wave are consistent in space and time across all land cover types. Second, the influences of land covers on temperatures are considered for normal and extreme summer weather to find out which characteristics of the built environment most influence temperatures during periods of extreme heat. Finally, the distribution of health vulnerabilities related to extreme heat in cities are described and examined for spatial patterns. These topics are investigated using meteorology from the summer of 2006 to identify extremely hot days in the cities of Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Phoenix and their surrounding metropolitan regions. Remotely sensed temperature data were examined with physical and social characteristics of the urban environment to answer the questions posed above. The findings confirm that urban land covers consistently exhibit higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas and are much more likely to be among the hottest in the region, during a heat wave specifically. In some cities urban thermal anomalies grew between the beginning and end of a heat wave. The importance of previously recognized built environment thermal influences (impervious cover and tree canopy) were present, and in some cases, emphasized during extreme summer weather. Extreme heat health health vulnerability related to environmental factors coincided spatially with risks related to social status. This finding suggests that populations with fewer resources for coping with extreme heat tend to reside in built environments that increase temperatures, and thus they may be experiencing increased thermal exposures. Physical interventions and policies related to the built environment can help to reduce urban temperatures, especially during periods of extremely hot weather which are predicted to become more frequent with global climate change. In portions of the city where populations with limited adaptive capacity are concentrated, modification of the urban landscape to decrease near surface longwave radiation can reduce the chances of adverse health effects related to extreme heat. The specific programs, policies, and design strategies pursued by cities and regions must be tailored with respect to scale, location, and cultural context. This work concludes with suggestions for such strategies.

The Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) is endowed with natural resources which are drivers for sustainable development at local, national and regional levels. However, these resources are adversely affected by dynamic social, economic, environmental and political factors. Poor coordination and ineffective knowledge management programmes among various players within the LVB has led to duplication of efforts as substantial information and knowledge generated is unavailable to users. As a result, over-exploitation of natural resources has resulted in unsustainable development of the LVB. This study sought to establish the role of knowledge management in promoting sustainable development of the LVB. Specific objectives were to: determine the role of knowledge management in sustainable development of LVB; determine challenges and barriers hindering effective knowledge management; establish tools and technology that can be used to enhance knowledge management; and establish the strategies used by organisations in LVB to manage knowledge generated for sustainable development. A descriptive survey design was used in this study targeting 98 (with 76.5% response rate) officers of various ranks working in 26 organisations involved in development programmes/projects and located in the five partner states within the LVB. Data was collected using self administered questionnaires and a desk review. Findings showed most respondents agreeing that knowledge management is a systematic utilisation of policies, processes, activities and tools which empower organisations to apply knowledge to improve effectiveness, innovation and quality. Up to 93.9% of the organisations facilitated discovery, capture, storage and retrieval of knowledge. Most organisations encouraged documentation of lessons learnt, with some making it mandatory to deposit key documents in the library. Paper-based media was the most preferred knowledge storage format. Lack of an open-minded sharing environment, bureaucratic procedures and poor information systems were the common barriers to knowledge management, while lack of time (68.4%) was an obstacle to proper xvi documentation. The internet was the most popular knowledge management tool/technology; though technical issues were the most critical problems affecting ICT use (71.4%). Based on these findings, this study recommends a holistic and coordinated approach to knowledge management among all institutions working in the LVB to address the challenges of sustainable development in the basin. / Information Science / M. Inf. (Information Science)

A construção do paradigma socioambiental é resultado da compreensão de que não é possível a proteção isolada, implicando o cuidado conjunto. O ser humano, ente integrante da biodiversidade, está amparado pelas legislações que lhe são próprias, assim como pelas legislações ambientais. O genoma humano é próprio de cada indivíduo e o distingue dos demais entes da mesma espécie. O desenvolvimento do Projeto Genoma Humano possibilitou o acesso e o uso das informações genéticas. A evolução da ciência deve ser regulamentada para evitar a utilização indevida das informações genéticas, assim como para que os benefícios proporcionados por essa evolução sejam acessíveis a toda população. O ser humano não pode sofrer discriminação em razão da sua carga genética. O acesso às informações contidas nos genes deve ocorrer unicamente para melhorar a saúde dos indivíduos. O consentimento informado é imprescindível para acesso e uso das informações genéticas. A bioinformática possibilita a descoberta das funções de cada gene específico. A farmacogenômica, por sua vez, proporciona o tratamento e a cura de doenças de acordo com a carga genética de cada indivíduo. Os biorepositórios e os biobancos são importantes para conservar o material genético destinado à pesquisa, bem como a ser utilizado no futuro tratamento médico do próprio doador. As pesquisas genéticas devem ser conduzidas de forma transparente e regulada a fim de evitar a detenção do biopoder. O acesso do genoma humano pode permitir a manipulação desse com finalidades bioterroristas de modo a atingir à população em geral ou a determinado grupo específico. Alguns países já estão patenteando os genes, muito embora sejam considerados descoberta e não invenção. A não permissão do patenteamento de genes no Brasil deixa o país em desvantagem quanto aos demais que permitem, pois futuramente, nosso país, poderá ter que pagar royalties pela utilização dos genes já patenteados no desenvolvimento de pesquisas genéticas. Todas essas situações demonstram a importância de proteger o genoma humano para que as atuais e futuras gerações não tenham sua carga genética alterada. A criação de uma legislação nacional e, principalmente, internacional é indispensável. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-05-29T18:15:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Monica Souza Liedke.pdf: 1347371 bytes, checksum: 041ecbd172b0c26294c008a919ffc003 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-29T18:15:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Monica Souza Liedke.pdf: 1347371 bytes, checksum: 041ecbd172b0c26294c008a919ffc003 (MD5) / The build of the socio-environment paradigm is resultant from the comprehension that isolated protection is not possible, implying collective care. The human being, as a biodiversity integrant, is supported by his laws, but also by environment laws. The human genome is unique for each individual and distinguishes itself from the others beings of the same species. The development of The Human Genome Project made possible the access to and the use of genetic information. Science evolution must be ruled to avoid improper use of genetic information, but also for granting universal access to it. The human being must not be discriminated by its genetic information. Genetic information access should only be for individual health improvement. Informed assent is essential for the access and the use of this information. Pharmacogenomics, in its turn, provides treatment and cure for diseases in agreement with every individual genetic information. The biorepositories and biobanks are important to preserve genetic material destined to research, such as future use in the medical treatment of the donor. Genetic researches must be lead in a clear and ruled form in order to avoid retention of biopower. The access to the human genome can permit its manipulation with bioterrorist intents of reaching general population or a specific group. Some countries are already patenting the genes, although they are considered findings and not inventions. The non permission of gene patenting in Brazil put the country in disadvantage with the others that permit, because, in the future, our country could pay royalties for the already patented in the development of genetic researches. All these situations show the importance of protecting human genome for this and future generations. The creation of national and, mainly, international laws is indispensable.

A construção do paradigma socioambiental é resultado da compreensão de que não é possível a proteção isolada, implicando o cuidado conjunto. O ser humano, ente integrante da biodiversidade, está amparado pelas legislações que lhe são próprias, assim como pelas legislações ambientais. O genoma humano é próprio de cada indivíduo e o distingue dos demais entes da mesma espécie. O desenvolvimento do Projeto Genoma Humano possibilitou o acesso e o uso das informações genéticas. A evolução da ciência deve ser regulamentada para evitar a utilização indevida das informações genéticas, assim como para que os benefícios proporcionados por essa evolução sejam acessíveis a toda população. O ser humano não pode sofrer discriminação em razão da sua carga genética. O acesso às informações contidas nos genes deve ocorrer unicamente para melhorar a saúde dos indivíduos. O consentimento informado é imprescindível para acesso e uso das informações genéticas. A bioinformática possibilita a descoberta das funções de cada gene específico. A farmacogenômica, por sua vez, proporciona o tratamento e a cura de doenças de acordo com a carga genética de cada indivíduo. Os biorepositórios e os biobancos são importantes para conservar o material genético destinado à pesquisa, bem como a ser utilizado no futuro tratamento médico do próprio doador. As pesquisas genéticas devem ser conduzidas de forma transparente e regulada a fim de evitar a detenção do biopoder. O acesso do genoma humano pode permitir a manipulação desse com finalidades bioterroristas de modo a atingir à população em geral ou a determinado grupo específico. Alguns países já estão patenteando os genes, muito embora sejam considerados descoberta e não invenção. A não permissão do patenteamento de genes no Brasil deixa o país em desvantagem quanto aos demais que permitem, pois futuramente, nosso país, poderá ter que pagar royalties pela utilização dos genes já patenteados no desenvolvimento de pesquisas genéticas. Todas essas situações demonstram a importância de proteger o genoma humano para que as atuais e futuras gerações não tenham sua carga genética alterada. A criação de uma legislação nacional e, principalmente, internacional é indispensável. / The build of the socio-environment paradigm is resultant from the comprehension that isolated protection is not possible, implying collective care. The human being, as a biodiversity integrant, is supported by his laws, but also by environment laws. The human genome is unique for each individual and distinguishes itself from the others beings of the same species. The development of The Human Genome Project made possible the access to and the use of genetic information. Science evolution must be ruled to avoid improper use of genetic information, but also for granting universal access to it. The human being must not be discriminated by its genetic information. Genetic information access should only be for individual health improvement. Informed assent is essential for the access and the use of this information. Pharmacogenomics, in its turn, provides treatment and cure for diseases in agreement with every individual genetic information. The biorepositories and biobanks are important to preserve genetic material destined to research, such as future use in the medical treatment of the donor. Genetic researches must be lead in a clear and ruled form in order to avoid retention of biopower. The access to the human genome can permit its manipulation with bioterrorist intents of reaching general population or a specific group. Some countries are already patenting the genes, although they are considered findings and not inventions. The non permission of gene patenting in Brazil put the country in disadvantage with the others that permit, because, in the future, our country could pay royalties for the already patented in the development of genetic researches. All these situations show the importance of protecting human genome for this and future generations. The creation of national and, mainly, international laws is indispensable.

La thèse, intitulée Une ville cosmopolite, de l’écologie urbaine aux politiques, prend pour questionnement de départ les modalités d’articulation des dimensions urbaine et politique du cosmopolitisme. La première partie est consacrée à l’approche théorique de cette articulation à partir des écrits de R. E Park et des approches contemporaines du cosmopolitisme en sociologie urbaine et en philosophie politique, et propose une approche sociologique du cosmopolitisme. Celle-ci est mise à l’épreuve de l’enquête, à laquelle est consacrée la seconde partie, qui suit les mobilisations urbaines à Bruxelles des années 1960 à aujourd’hui et étudie ces modalités d’articulation des dimensions urbaine et politique du cosmopolitisme, afin de questionner le rôle de la ville dans l’émergence d’un cosmopolitisme politique. / Doctorat en Sciences politiques et sociales / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Trees in natural forests are widely known for their essential contribution to rural livelihoods in developing countries, providing both consumptive and non-consumptive products to rural inhabitants. These benefits are also obtained from trees in urban forests and used by urban households. In the past decades, the role of urban trees to urban livelihoods, municipalities, local and global environment has often been overlooked by researchers and development agencies, and hence are poorly documented, especially in Africa. In South Africa, the increase in urbanisation and urban poverty means many urban residents are expected to be dependent on trees and tree products from homesteads, neighbourhoods and edges of towns. There is however a paucity of literature on the potential of trees in sustaining livelihoods and poverty alleviation in urban areas. This study determined the magnitude and nature of the direct contribution of trees and tree products to local livelihoods in different urban residential areas (informal, Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), and township) in three South African towns (Tzaneen, Bela Bela and Zeerust) which cover a rainfall gradient from relatively higher (775 mm p.a.) to low (575 mm p.a.). The results showed that most (90%) households had an interest in planting and managing trees on homesteads, given the high proportion (71%) of residents who had planted trees on their homesteads. The abundance of trees followed the moisture gradient, with Tzaneen having a larger share (46.4%) of trees, followed by Bela Bela (27.5%) and Zeerust (26.1%). Larger plots in the informal residential area accounted for the larger proportion (42.8%) of trees on homesteads, followed by the township (32.9%) and RDP households being the least because they were recently established. Tree density was also higher in the high rainfall town but the pattern did not follow the moisture gradient between Bela Bela and Zeerust due to little rainfall difference. However, tree density across residential areas was similar to the proportion of trees on homesteads in residential areas. The most common tree species were alien, and mainly exotic fruit trees made up two-thirds of the trees encountered. Most households collected various products from urban trees, particularly fuelwood, from edges of towns. This was especially by households with lower cash income. However, fruits were collected from homesteads regardless of the wealth status. Tree products had a significant contribution to the total annual household income, with fuelwood alone contributing up to R5 663 per household per annum, equivalent to two-three month household cash income. Tree products added 20% to total household income, which represents the amount of money households save by collecting tree products for free. Therefore, trees within and around urban areas contribute significantly to livelihoods and reduce poverty in urban areas. There is need therefore to encourage urban residents to plant trees on homesteads and policy makers to come up with policies that promote sustainable harvesting of tree products from areas surrounding urban areas.

Water hyacinth is recognised as one of the most problematic invasive aquatic plant species in Africa. For this reason considerable funds are spent each year on itscontrol. As a consequence of the amount of money being spent on problems such as the invasion of water hyacinth, and because of the recognition of the ongoing and accelerated efforts that are required in the future, recent research has focused on accurately quantifying the costs and benefits of control of invasive species to aid policy decisions.A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis would be able to identify if the funds are justified and are being spent effectively. This thesis provides an example of a cost-benefit analysis of funds spent on the control of water hyacinth in an urban environment in South Africa. In order to develop a comprehensive assessment of the total economic value of the control of water hyacinth to an urban population, the Nahoon River in East London was selected as the study site to calculate the benefits of control. In addition to valuing the direct services provided by the resources that are traded in the market (in this case water provision), a contingent valuation study was undertaken in Abbottsford and Dorchester Heights (two suburbs in East London banking the Nahoon River). These were done in order to assess any non-use value a sample of 132 households of the population has for the control of water hyacinth, and any use values that are not traded in the market, for example recreational value. When the benefits of control of water hyacinth were compared to the costs of one of the least cost effective methods of control (herbicidal control), the benefits outweighed the costs by a ratio of more than 4:1, and for the most cost effective method of control the ratio was almost 6:1. These results provide a justification for the funds that are devoted to the control of water hyacinth, providing an argument for the continued expenditure for its control, and for further research into more cost effective methods of control, such as biological control.

Thesis (MSc (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosc, 2005. / Biodiversity is under enormous pressure from an increasing human population. Urbanisation, agriculture, and mining are just some of the factors responsible for the continuous degradation of the natural environment. Of these, urbanisation is one of the leading factors of diversity loss. To address this problem, it is necessary to understand the relationship between biodiversity and urban areas, as well as the relationship between society and biodiversity. This study focuses on these relationships and suggest ways in which urban biodiversity can be maximised without compromising on development. In order to create an urban environment that successfully supports maximised biodiversity, new methods and ideas must be developed to promote the protection of urban ecosystems. The Cape Floristic Region in South Africa is a good example of an area that requires immediate action in order to prevent enormous losses in biodiversity. Data have shown drastic decreases in natural vegetation cover in this area, and with its close to 9000 species, of which approximately 60% occurs nowhere else in the world. This state of affairs should be regarded as a serious crisis. This study consists of three main parts, the first being a literature review on the current relationships between the urban environment, society, and biodiversity. The second and third parts report on two empirical investigations on the campus of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch in the City of Cape Town. The first of these investigates the possibility of using spirituality connected to nature as a promotional tool for conservation through rehabilitation or restoration of damaged urban vegetation habitats. For this purpose students’ and staff members’ opinions of the urban nature at the campus were tested. In the second investigation the options of restoring biodiversity to the campus was considered by exploring the best options available for rehabilitation while taking the current biodiversity status on and around the premises into account. This was carried out through three smaller projects that included the physical reintroduction of plant species, vegetation analysis, and bird identification and attraction. The response of employees and students at the Faculty of Health Sciences was found to be in favour of restoring vegetation and animal life to the campus. This is supported by a belief that their attitude towards their work would improve with improved natural surroundings. Initial rehabilitation attempts highlighted the complexity of rehabilitation practices by bringing forward challenges and problems experienced with the reintroduction of plant species. Despite these problems, increased plant diversity in experimental areas showed the possibility of successfully completing the project. Biodiversity analysis showed that methods of controlling vegetation used by the university are doing more harm than good, as it results in indigenous vegetation being displaced by exotic vegetation. This study introduces a number of questions regarding the relationship between urbanisation and biodiversity and to what extent the two should be linked. Hopefully it is a step in the direction towards marrying the urban and natural environment, and to create a sustainable urban environment where society no longer sees nature as something outside the city boundaries.

In the face of rapid urbanization and global climate change, urban trees and green spaces (UTGS) can contribute to the welfare of people and the urban environment. Urban trees and green spaces can assist to address urbanization challenges related to environmental degradation. While functions of UTGS have been well documented in the developed world, they have not yet received full attention in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, UTGS are under threat from urban development and fragmentation. Notably, the problems associated with UTGS also fall into the governance realm and indications are that poor governance and management of UTGS can negatively influence the potential benefits of UTGS to local people and the environment. This formed a basis for this research. The main objective of the study was to determine the current governance and management approaches to UTGS in South Africa. Through document search and review, the study determined the governance institutions influencing UTGS at national level and at provincial level (in the Limpopo and Eastern Cape Provinces). Face-to-face and online survey methods were used to determine the extent to which 28 local municipalities had adopted planned, systematic and integrated management of UTGS. The snowball approach was used to determine the key actors involved in UTGS activities and interviews were conducted to establish the roles and capabilities of these actors. A total of 540 household interviews were conducted to determine the institutional factors influencing local peoples’ ability to access, plant and use UTGS. The findings of the study showed that UTGS have not been adequately covered in existing governance institutions and practice at national and provincial levels. Local government municipalities were not managing their UTGS in a planned or systematic manner due to constraining factors such as insufficient funds, insufficient personnel, lack of equipment and lack of political support. Only 7.1 % of the surveyed municipalities had an urban tree management plan and an estimate of the urban tree stock; 32.1 % had tree policies; 28.6 % had tree bylaws; 21.4 % had tree planting schedules; 10.7 % had tree maintenance schedules and only 3.6 % had tree inspection schedules. Key actors involved in UTGS activities differed among levels of government. The actors included national and provincial government departments, local government municipalities, Non-Governmental Organizations, private sector companies and local volunteers. Most of the actors, however, either planted trees or provided tree seedlings to municipalities and the local people. Tenure security was a key institutional factor affecting peoples’ ability to plant, use or even remove trees from their residential plots. The same applied to trees in the streets and public parks. Whereas most respondents did not require permission to plant (79.8 %) or remove (75 %) trees on their residential plots, a majority of them required permission to plant and remove trees from streets (over 70 %) and public parks (over 80 %). However, with regard to planting and removing urban trees in public open spaces, 54% of the respondents indicated that permission was not required suggesting a lack of clarity among local residents on the issue. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that there is no political recognition and support for UTGS at almost all levels of government. This has resulted in the lack of incorporation of UTGS in urban planning and development and has caused UTGS to receive limited funding to permit planned and systematic management. Given the current rates of urbanization and urban development, the lowly prioritised UTGS are vulnerable to exploitation. To conserve UTGS and promote their potential contribution to local people and the environment, UTGS must be recognized and placed on political and development agendas. There is a need to develop national guidelines for UTGS management, assess the extent of the urban forest resource in local municipalities, clearly define the roles and capabilities of different actors, integrate UTGS in the urban planning and development system, and most of all seek to involve the local people in overall management and governance of UTGS.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The purpose of this study was to identify urban heat island locations within Center Township, Indiana and to develop a model to determine areas of high social vulnerability. In addition, an urban heat island mitigation strategy was developed for socially vulnerable and highest temperature locations. Land surface temperature was estimated using Landsat ETM+ satellite imagery. Social vulnerability was estimated using principal components analysis and spatial analysis methods such as kernel density functions. These methods incorporate various socioeconomic variables, land surface temperature, and tree canopy cover. Tree canopy cover was extracted using Quickbird imagery among other techniques. Areas with high social vulnerability, high temperature and low tree canopy cover were analyzed and plantable spaces were assessed. The findings of this study will be shared with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. so that they can inform their tree planting campaigns that seek to reduce the effects of urban heat islands on socially vulnerable populations.