Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Detroit Mercy, 2010. / "28 May 2010". Includes bibliographical references (p. 17).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-131).

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-131) Also available in print.

Depuis le début XXIème siècle, les documents d’urbanisme s’attèlent à « reconstruire la ville sur la ville » et même à densifier le bâti existant. Or, non seulement les aspirations de la population ne vont pas nécessairement dans le même sens, mais encore, ce mode de construction implique une connaissance fine du volume urbain. L’attente de nouvelles méthodes d’analyse des territoires, combinant 2D et 3D, est forte dans le domaine de l’aménagement du territoire afin de densifier les espaces urbains et combler les vacuités tout en surélevant le bâti existant, et en respectant les principes d’un développement urbain durable soucieux de la qualité de vie. Cependant, les méthodes utilisées à ce jour à des fins de recherche fondamentale ou appliquée en aménagement, intègrent peu la 3D, c’est à dire la dimension verticale des éléments géographiques, naturels ou anthropiques. Le travail de recherche envisagé dans la thèse a pour objet l’intégration de la 3D dans l’analyse spatiale à l’aide de SIG, de l’analyse d’image et de l’analyse morphologique afin de proposer des nouvelles méthodes et des outils utiles aux acteurs du territoire. / Since the beginning of the 21 century the urban planning documents are focused on the “reconstruction of the city inside the recent city territory” and results in the densification of the urban structure (e.g. elevating existing buildings or increasing compactness). However, this construction mode needs a detailed understanding of the urban volume. To meet this demand, new analysis methods are strongly desired, integrating 2D and 3D in urban planning. This might allow density increase in decaying inner urban areas while respecting the social sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life. However the currently used methods used in fundamental science or applied science rarely include the third dimension in their consideration; more detailed the vertical axis of geographical, natural or anthropogenic elements.The here presented thesis is dedicated to the integration of the 3D methods into the urban planning by the help of analysis with applied geographic information systems (GIS). The work focuses on image and morphology analysis for developing new methodologies and tools dedicated to different decision makers in urban context.

Cette recherche s'interroge sur l'interrelation entre le développement urbain et le développement durable dans le sens où celui-ci peut se concrétiser en milieu urbain et à différents niveaux stratégiques de la ville. Sous cet angle, la recherche ambitionne une meilleure compréhension de cette interrelation, notamment par ses implications potentielles pour la ville de Bagdad (Irak) qui constitue l'étude de cas. Pour atteindre cet objectif, la recherche implique une évaluation critique de la ville afin de savoir si la dynamique existante (défis et réponses) et les mutations urbaines actuelles (le développement économique, le changement social et l'envergure de l'implication du public, la transition politique), ainsi que les projets de développement urbain effectivement élaborés à la suite des efforts locaux de reconstruction – mais aussi sous l'impact du processus de globalisation - pourraient être orientés de façon à créer un terrain favorable pour engager un processus de développement durable en contexte. Toutefois, avant de passer à cette dernière étape ambitieuse, la question de recherche est examinée au prisme de trois étapes structurelles. Tout d'abord avec un regard sur l'histoire de façon à mieux voir comment a débuté la création de la ville de Bagdad et sa formation, puis quels furent son développement et ses transformations jusqu'à sa situation actuelle. Deuxièmement, en soulignant et analysant les conséquences et les problèmes actuels de son développement et ses impacts sur les différents aspects de l'état urbain (la société, la culture, l'environnement, la politique, etc. ...), cela pour mieux comprendre les débats actuels et les efforts contradictoires portés sur le développement de la ville concernée. Troisièmement, au-delà d'une recherche théorique sur le concept de développement durable, et de l'examen de certaines perspectives et de points de vue théoriques à partir desquels ce concept a été approché, la recherche est plus précisément conduite dans le but de bien comprendre comment s'engager correctement en faveur d'un développement adapté et d'un avenir durable pour la ville de Bagdad. Il importe ici de rappeler que cette approche s'inscrit dans un contexte où le rôle de la durabilité n'a pas reçu une attention appropriée de la part de la recherche en termes d'analyse des divers avantages et inconvénients apportés au contexte concerné. A cet égard, bien qu'il existe certaines similitudes entre les villes à travers le monde, et que l'on puisse aussi admettre qu'il y ait beaucoup d'éléments globaux communs au sujet du développement de la ville, il convient de relever qu'il y a aussi des dimensions locales et régionales jouant un rôle important. A cet à égard la recherche révèle que Bagdad est un produit unique (dans le sens d'inhabituel) pour la mise en œuvre de politiques de développement urbain. La recherche vise aussi à établir une vision stratégique pour la ville en matière de développement urbain durable, en mettant d'abord l'accent sur des démarches stratégiques qui prennent en considération toute la complexité de la gestion et de l'aménagement de la ville. Enfin, la recherche esquisse les orientations d'un Schéma Directeur visant à maîtriser à la fois la forme urbaine et la croissance dans la perspective d'une éventuelle évolution vers une ville plus adaptée et "durable". / This research questions the interrelation of urban development and sustainable development, in the sense that sustainable development could be operationalized in the urban environment and at a variety of strategic levels of the city. Within this objective, this research seeks to achieve, through the case study of the research (Baghdad), a better understanding of this relation, especially by its prospective implications for Baghdad. To achieve this goal, the research involves a critical assessment of whether, the dynamics (challenges and responses) and current urban changes (economic development, social transformations and the extent of public involvement, and the political transition), as well as urban development projects actually developed through local reconstruction efforts and impact of the process of globalization, could be invested and oriented to create a favourable ground to start an implementation of the sustainable development. However, before proceeding to the last ambitious step, the research aims to address the main research question through three structural phases: firstly through history in order to see how the creation of the city began, its formation, how it was developing and transforming up to its current situation. Secondly, for highlighting and analyzing the consequences and current problems of the city development and their impact on various aspects of the urban condition (society, culture, environment, politics, etc ....), in order to establish an understanding of current debates and contradictory efforts on the development of Baghdad city. Thirdly, beyond a theoretical research on the concept of sustainable development and a review of some points of view and theoretical perspectives from which this concept was approached, the research explicitly leads to a better understanding of how it could be possible to engage properly in the new commitment to an appropriate development and sustainable future for the city of Baghdad. It is important to remind here that this approach takes place in a context where the role of sustainability has not received appropriate attention of the research, in terms of analysis of the various advantages and disadvantages that are relevant to the context. In this respect, although there are some similarities between the cities around the world, as well as there are a lot of global common elements on development of the city, there are also local and regional dimensions that play an important role. With respect to these dimensions the study reveals that Baghdad is unique (in the sense of unusual) for the implementation of urban development policies. The research also aims to develop a strategic vision for the city's sustainable urban development, focusing primarily on the strategic approaches that take into account the complexity of the management and development of the city. Finally, the research proposes an attempt to outline a master plan to control both urban form and growth in any change, while ensuring a proper orientation to a city more responsive and “sustainable”.

This essay is firstly a methodological pilot study. We have investigated if qualitative methods, in this case semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews, can be used to complement existing empirical findings about food consumption. The study’s approach has also been to map out what variables that affects individuals choices regarding food consumption and how their choices are affected by governmental information. Through a historical overview of food consumption in Sweden, we can show how the governmental and individual roles have changed due to increased globalization and urbanization. We have also used a social-psychological theoretical framework and previous empirical findings to analyze why individuals not always act as themselves and others wish. The results from this study shows that students generally are more aware than other individuals regarding sustainable choices. Still, they find it difficult to specify why one choice is more sustainable than another, for example between conventional, organic and locally produced food. The majority of the respondents claimed that high pricing was the main obstacle for them to consistently go for the more sustainable choice. When talking about price, some of the respondents expressed that, both the external and the self-perceived image of what the life of a student includes further contributes to the idea of a ‘poor student with limited choices’. There is still an ongoing need to study social phenomena in the everyday live. We can, in line with this study’s litterature, note that several aspects of everyday life are corrected by the government. Regarding food consumption, that is characterized by individualism and act in the grey area between governmental ideals and the practice of everyday life, the need for knowledge is even bigger. Increased knowledge is crucial to make a sustainable urban development possible and we claim that qualitative methods can act as an important tool to illustrate and affect attitudes and norms.

Many North American suburban shopping malls have become under-performing retail islands drifting in oceans of asphalt parking lots. This thesis examined three potential future scenarios for the aging retail shopping mall landscape; 1. Maintaining status quo 2. Upgrading the property for a mixed-use neighbourhood centre 3. Implementing strategies for attainable sustainability targets These scenarios were examined using a proposed retrofit of Edmonton, Canada’s Westmount Centre as a case study, to determine if this retrofitting approach could be a pilot for other districts. The principles of 2030 District (2030 District, 2012) guided this thesis, a concept which proposed that by 2030 all newly constructed districts be energy neutral and that existing districts be retrofitted to use less than 50% of the energy that they presently consume. The Spider charts developed by Haas & Troglio (Haas & Troglio, 2011) were used to create strategies that included incorporating existing proven, economically viable technologies to the proposed retrofit. The three resulting scenarios were then evaluated using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Neighbourhood Design, version 4 (LEED-ND v4), to make a case for raising the threshold for sustainability and mitigation measures when planning new and retrofit projects in North America (USGBC, 2014). The goal of the thesis was to find a solution that holistically meets the goals of LEED-ND, where partnerships between numerous stakeholders provide a business model for urban sustainability, which includes planning, implementation and verification (2030 District, 2012). By examining proven sustainability measures and applying them to the normative scenario, makes the case that strategic implementation during a situation of opportunity, through timely stakeholder interaction, will result in a district that is both sustainable (environmentally, socially and economically) and provides a good return on investment. This thesis is a starting point for the iterative process, a compelling argument and business case for further investigation and action for Westmount Centre and by extension, to other retail districts.

O presente estudo aborda a questão da drenagem urbana, enfocando a interdependência entre planejamento do uso do solo e do sistema de drenagem para o controle das enchentes. Considera que o sistema de drenagem, no planejamento de uma bacia urbana sustentável, deve ser previsto na fase inicial do planejamento urbano e integrado aos demais planos de desenvolvimento, para que atue de maneira preventiva, o que depende de conhecimento prévio do funcionamento do sistema urbano e da capacidade de previsão de possíveis alterações ambientais. É enfatizada a adoção de medidas não-estruturais no controle e prevenção de inundações e a definição de critérios ambientais para guiar o processo de ocupação urbana, a partir da identificação das vulnerabilidades e limitações de uso impostas pelas características naturais do meio. Dentro dessa nova abordagem de drenagem urbana, é apresentado um estudo de caso onde se avalia o efeito das medidas não-estruturais em micro-bacia parcialmente urbanizada. São propostos oito cenários do uso e ocupação do solo, em situações no passado, presente e futuro, com e sem medidas não-estruturais. A análise dos resultados das simulações hidrológicas dos cenários indica que medidas não-estruturais, quando adotadas em conjunto, resultam em percentual significativo de áreas permeáveis e são eficientes no controle do escoamento superficial e na atenuação de vazões de pico. / This work treats urban drainage issue in respect to the interdependence between urban planning and drainage system in order to control floods. The drainage system planning must be considered in the beginning of the urban planning and integrated to other plans, acting in a preventive way. A previous knowledge of the environmental factors in order to predict the negative impacts in the future is necessary in this planning approach. It is emphasized the adoption of non-structural measures in order to control and prevent urban floods and also the choice of environmental criteria to conduct the urban development, given the potential and constraints of the land. Inside this new approach of urban drainage, one study case in a micro watershed is presented, where non-structural measures are applied and evaluated. The land use scenarios are simulated in rainfall-runoff model and then evaluated. Hydrologic simulation results point that non structural flood control measures, when they are adopted together, result in an expressive percentage of pervious areas. Also, they are efficient in controlling run-off and peak discharges attenuation.

O presente estudo aborda a questão da drenagem urbana, enfocando a interdependência entre planejamento do uso do solo e do sistema de drenagem para o controle das enchentes. Considera que o sistema de drenagem, no planejamento de uma bacia urbana sustentável, deve ser previsto na fase inicial do planejamento urbano e integrado aos demais planos de desenvolvimento, para que atue de maneira preventiva, o que depende de conhecimento prévio do funcionamento do sistema urbano e da capacidade de previsão de possíveis alterações ambientais. É enfatizada a adoção de medidas não-estruturais no controle e prevenção de inundações e a definição de critérios ambientais para guiar o processo de ocupação urbana, a partir da identificação das vulnerabilidades e limitações de uso impostas pelas características naturais do meio. Dentro dessa nova abordagem de drenagem urbana, é apresentado um estudo de caso onde se avalia o efeito das medidas não-estruturais em micro-bacia parcialmente urbanizada. São propostos oito cenários do uso e ocupação do solo, em situações no passado, presente e futuro, com e sem medidas não-estruturais. A análise dos resultados das simulações hidrológicas dos cenários indica que medidas não-estruturais, quando adotadas em conjunto, resultam em percentual significativo de áreas permeáveis e são eficientes no controle do escoamento superficial e na atenuação de vazões de pico. / This work treats urban drainage issue in respect to the interdependence between urban planning and drainage system in order to control floods. The drainage system planning must be considered in the beginning of the urban planning and integrated to other plans, acting in a preventive way. A previous knowledge of the environmental factors in order to predict the negative impacts in the future is necessary in this planning approach. It is emphasized the adoption of non-structural measures in order to control and prevent urban floods and also the choice of environmental criteria to conduct the urban development, given the potential and constraints of the land. Inside this new approach of urban drainage, one study case in a micro watershed is presented, where non-structural measures are applied and evaluated. The land use scenarios are simulated in rainfall-runoff model and then evaluated. Hydrologic simulation results point that non structural flood control measures, when they are adopted together, result in an expressive percentage of pervious areas. Also, they are efficient in controlling run-off and peak discharges attenuation.