Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 158-160).

No description available.

This master thesis, entitled "Brownfields - comparison of rural areas of Pelhřimov and Jihlava" focuses on the issue of brownfields, their typology, their characteristics and the terms associated with them. Core of the whole work was a field survey of selected municipalities in the Pelhřimov and Jihlava districts in which these objects were searched. Based on these empirical data, areas were compared not only with each other, but also with the public register of brownfields. The impact of brownfields on the quality of life of local populations emerged from the results of a simple survey. The aim of the thesis was to map the occurrence of brownfields in designated areas and the subsequent comparison between the evidence and the actual state.

Este trabalho discute o Turismo Urbano na cidade de São Paulo e a estreita relação dessa modalidade turística com os deslocamentos do CBD Central Business District. Ao tratar dessa questão, verifica-se que, assim como as outras grandes metrópoles do mundo, São Paulo indica uma tendência a ser palco de um complexo movimento turístico. No entanto, a falta de reflexão e de promoção para o turismo, aliada à falta de políticas públicas, faz com que a cidade não se revele enquanto destino turístico. Este estudo, fundamentado na literatura de ordem geral e específica e no trabalho de campo que resultou no mapeamento de áreas, buscou entender o movimento dos CBD e sua relação com o Turismo Urbano. Os centros de negócios, acompanhados de infra-estrutura como hotéis e espaços para eventos, norteou as investigações para esclarecer a dinâmica do turismo na cidade. Com base na conectividade existente entre a hotelaria, os espaços para eventos e os atrativos, essa pesquisa revela a riqueza da infra-estrutura e de equipamentos existente em São Paulo, revelando uma estreita relação entre parte da oferta e a migração do CBD. / This work is based in Urban Tourism in the city of Sao Paulo and the relation of its tourist mode with the displacements of CBD Central Business District. Based in this point, it is noticeable that as any otherworld metropoles, the city of Sao Paulo tend to be the base of a complex tourist mode. However, the lack of reflex on and promotion of tourism with the lack of public politics help the city not to appear as a tourist destination as it should. This study fundament of literature of general and specific order and on the campus work resulted on the mapping of the area made it clear about the CBDs role and its relation with Urban Tourism. The business centres followed by the infrastructure such as hotels and events areas made it easier to start the investigations about the dynamic of tourism in the city. Based on the existent connection of catering, the spaces for events and attractions, this research reveals the wealthy of the infrastructure and equipments existing in the city of Sao Paulo and a good relation about the offer and migration of the CBD.

The objectives of this study were to obtain quantitative and qualitative data on the vegetation and environmental factors of the Cariboo Zone and to synthesize these data into an ecosystematic classification. Sample plots were chosen selectively according to criteria based on uniformity and discreteness. Vegetation was studied using the phyto-sociological methods of the Zürich-Montpellier School. On all plots data were also obtained for edaphic and physiographic factors. Based on floristic composition and environmental data the 131 plots were synthesized into a flexible ecosystematic classification in which eight orders, twelve alliances, twenty associations and six subassociations were described. The order Pseudotsugetalia menziesii with three associations dominated most of the forested areas, occurring on subhygric to subxeric habitats. The order Piceetalia glaucae with three associations occurred only marginally; always on subhygric to subhydric habitats. The order Koelerio -Agropyretalia spicati with eight associations dominated the grassland areas, occurring on fine textured soils of aeolian origin. The order Puccinellietalia airoidis with two associations dominated the saline-alkaline habitats. The orders Betuletalia glandulosae, Salicetalia, Scirpetalia validi, and Caricetalia rostratae were represented by single associations of restricted distributions. Soils representative of all six orders of the Canadian Soil Classification system were distinguished with Chernozemic and Brunizolic soils the most common. Melanization appeared to be the dominant soil-forming process and the soils were generally rich having high cation exchange capacities, high amounts of exchangeable cations and alkaline reactions. An examination of the population structures of the major tree species showed that Pseudotsuga menziesii had the widest amplitude and formed the climax forest cover over much of the Cariboo Zone. Picea glauca had a narrower amplitude and Pinus contorta and Populus tremuloides reached dominance only as pioneer species. Selected ecosystem units were characterized microclimatically. The Agropyrion spicati occupied microclimatically warm areas while the floristically related Stipion columbianae was present in areas with a cool microclimate. The Antennario - Poetum secundae and Stipetum richardsonii, although bordering associations, occupied microclimately distinct habitats. Forest communities were shown to develop at higher elevations where a cool microclimate prevails. Based on species significance data, plots were objectively grouped by the weighted-pair-group and the weighted-variable-group methods of cluster analysis. The resulting hierarchical arrangements of plots paralleled very closely the subjectively derived ecosystematic classification. On the dendrogram obtained by the weighted-variable-group method, associations were distinguished and their degree of homogeniety and ecological relationships were demonstrated. The forest-grassland boundary in the Cariboo Zone was assessed to be relatively stable and to be controlled by available soil moisture as related to soil texture. It was apparent though, that minor fluctuations in the boundary as a result of grazing and fire occur. Detailed topographic relationships of the associations were demonstrated and it was apparent that topography, which represents a complex of physiographic factors, is important in controlling the distribution of associations. Successional changes appeared to be operating at a slow rate and thus most of the associations described were in a stable condition. The Agropyretum spicati most closely approximated the climatic climax association, occurring on ridges and slopes. Other stable associations were rated as edaphic or topographic climaxes. The successional relationships of the associations were demonstrated within a monoclimax concept in which it was assumed that ultimately all associations would change into the climax as a result of soil weathering and peneplanation of the land. It was concluded that the gynecological approach and classification methods used allowed the presentation of data in an ecosystematic format which could be directly applied to range or forest management but could also serve as a basis for more detailed scientific studies. / Science, Faculty of / Botany, Department of / Graduate

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of Texas principals as to the degree to which their local school districts are meeting their ongoing professional development need. The study was conducted to analyze and describe the survey and interview responses of Texas principals as to their perceptions of the degree to which their local school districts provide learning experiences aligned with their needs. Texas principals’ perceptions regarding the characteristics of important and meaningful professional learning experiences were explored. The study included an analysis of the extent to which Texas principals perceive that the learning opportunities they are provided adequately meet those needs. Additionally, various factors influencing principals and their perceptions were examined. These factors included type of school, school setting, school system size, characteristics of students, and characteristics of the principals. The perceptions of school district staff development administrators were analyzed regarding topic importance, topic provision by the local district, and the usefulness of those topics. Finally, the perceptions of the principals and the staff development administrators were compared. Thirteen school districts participated in this study. Of the 273 principals surveyed, 155 completed the survey, yielding a return rate of 56.8%. One campus principal from each of the 13 districts was interviewed. Additionally, 13 district staff development administrators were surveyed and interviewed. Data analysis produced several findings. First, as a whole, principals rated the importance of each of the 22 proposed professional development topics at or above the important level. However, the degree to which local school districts provided training on those topics varied according to the size of the district and the setting of the campus. Second, the relationship between the professional development provided and the quality, or usefulness, of that school district’s training was considered strong for several of the 22 topics. Finally, principals and staff development administrators agreed on several characteristics of successful professional development efforts. This study’s findings offer implications for campus principals and school districts striving to meet the individual, campus, and district needs for professional development.

<p>The purpose of this investigation is to further the current discussion of how the Swedish market for district heating can be made more competitive and effective. This is done by investigating how price, costs of production and profitability of district heating varies with ownership, a variable frequently held accountable for financial performance variations in natural monopoly markets. The investigation is based on financial and technical performance data from 203 firms from 2007 and 2008, compiled by the Swedish Energy Market Inspectorate. The results strongly indicate that private firms are more profitable than firms owned, fully or partly, by local government. Furthermore, the results find that higher profitability tends to be positively correlated with prices, rather than negatively with costs of production. The results speak in favor of private ownership under regulation, rather than the current mixture of public and unregulated private ownership.</p>

The purpose of this investigation is to further the current discussion of how the Swedish market for district heating can be made more competitive and effective. This is done by investigating how price, costs of production and profitability of district heating varies with ownership, a variable frequently held accountable for financial performance variations in natural monopoly markets. The investigation is based on financial and technical performance data from 203 firms from 2007 and 2008, compiled by the Swedish Energy Market Inspectorate. The results strongly indicate that private firms are more profitable than firms owned, fully or partly, by local government. Furthermore, the results find that higher profitability tends to be positively correlated with prices, rather than negatively with costs of production. The results speak in favor of private ownership under regulation, rather than the current mixture of public and unregulated private ownership.

Environment has become a major concern for society, which awareness of the importance of an environmentally respectful development has been growing during the last decades. Economic reasons have encompassed this transition to a more planet friendly conception of human development. In fact, this transition has been parallel to the growing prices of fossil fuels, facing a clear perspective of a shortage on its availability, insufficient to cope with a growing demand in the near future. Within this context, the role of renewable energies in order to stop depending on fossil fuels and to reduce greenhouse gases emissions has become crucial.   Because of its climate, heating represents a major source of energy consumption in Sweden, accounting for almost 60% of the residential and services sector energy use. Maximizing the efficiency of heating systems and using renewable, environmentally friendly and economically sustainable sources of energy may have an enormous impact on both environment and economy.   In this thesis the use of district heating and ground heat pump for a multi-dwelling building is evaluated, both from the economic and environmental points of view. Both are recognized to be efficient heating systems, allowing important savings of other sources of energy, and respectful with the environment.   An installation combining both district heating and ground heat pump, for a multi-dwelling building in Gävle has been analyzed. Different scenarios have been considered, and results obtained show that when installing a ground heat pump, both economic savings and CO2 emissions reduction are obtained. Annual economic savings account for 16,8% when providing 60% of the thermal energy with the ground heat pump, and considering the investment associated to the recent installation of a new heat pump (in the case studied, boreholes were already drilled), the payback time is 7,4 years. CO2 emissions reduction for a normal year reaches 34%. However, if we look at the wider picture of electricity and heat production from a community (local, regional, national or even international) point of view, several considerations have to be taken into account, which are discussed in the report.