This thesis analyses the issue of solar access in environmentally sensitive attitudes to architecture. The primary intention of the study is to scrutinize the relationship between solar access and building form (volume) and investigate the efficiency of solar control on / by this form by means of &lsquo / solar envelope&rsquo / technique which is, first, defined by Knowles and developed in different ways in the last 30 years. Solar envelope in Knowles&rsquo / terms can be defined as the building volume resulting from shadow casting restrictions and must be recognized as a both theoretical and technical method in the form generation of any building. Similar to the concept of maximum developable volume allowed under height restrictions or floor area ratios, solar envelope is, rather, defined by solar access concerns. This method is applicable on single buildings as well as dense urban areas (residential and mix use areas) and is a supportive tool in the form generation in any stage of design. Buildings constructed without exceeding the abstract solar envelope that is constructed on the basis of solar access will be successful in the means of passive solar and low-energy design. Such a success will supply a sustainable development, which is globally discussed as a result of environmental and energy crisis. The aim of this thesis is to represent the method of constructing solar envelope, in case study, with its fundamental aspects and tools. Odt&uuml / kent residences will be the objects of this study. Results of this application will be tested with shadow maps and evaluations both for the existing situation and the proposed envelopes will be developed.

This thesis is an inquiry into the position of architecture both as a cultural product and as an autonomous discipline. The purpose to search for architectural autonomy is to discover architecture&rsquo / s internal values that can make architects become more aware of their tools and potentials. That kind of research is to discover the boundaries of the discipline of architecture, which interrelates with many other disciplines. In order to explore architectural autonomy, this thesis explores the internal qualities of architecture with relation to the external ones. The scrutiny of these internal qualities is to direct architecture through its own realm and to discover its significant values and internal potentials. Architectural autonomy is explored in this thesis in the framework of Modern Movement. The technological inventions and the social and cultural developments are considered as influential forces in the discipline and practice of architecture. This study attempts to identify the concept autonomy, not as a property indicating to an architecture that is completely independent from its cultural environment, but as a value implying to architecture&rsquo / s interior qualities that are significant in the discipline&rsquo / s boundaries. Architecture is examined with relation to its cultural circumstances / by arguing that architecture is not only a part of culture but also one of the constituents of it. Besides fulfilling cultural values, architecture has the ability to transform culture, with its own internal values. In this regard, the issue of autonomy gains importance in maintaining architecture a cultural value.

What are the essential characteristics that constitute historic American neighbor- hoods? Do current regulations promote developments that exhibit these essential characteristics? In this thesis I analyze two historic neighborhoods in an effort to un- cover their architectonic principles. By identifying the key components that comprise these places, we can critically analyze whether regulations, such as Historic Preserva- tion Ordinances and the SmartCode, are adequately designed to govern development practices of residential neighborhoods.

Public transportation policy plays a significant role in facilitating ridership as well as travel modes, economic activities, and environmental aspects. Seoul has experienced rapid urbanization. Also, high density developments and uncontrolled land use gave rise to extensive urban sprawl in the Seoul Metropolitan Areas (SMA). Due to increased use of private vehicles, which created serious traffic congestion, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has reformed public transportation policies-introduced bus transportation reform (BTR) in 2004 and reformed fare and ticketing structures in 2009. This research focuses on the relationships between socioeconomic characteristics and commuting patterns by applying smart card data that includes individual travel behaviors during commuting periods. Among regression results, average commuting times are significantly associated with the proportion of population with lower levels of education and the number of public transit stations. These results appear to support the idea that the lower educated people in each district tend to have longer commuting times. Also, the greater availability of public transit stations contributes to shorter commuting times. Finally, analyzing commuting times seems to be important for determining demographic movement as well as locational advantages in certain regions of Seoul based on public transportation policies.

The mixed sand and gravel barrier beaches located on the South Island's East Coast are formed predominantly of Greywacke, eroded from the mountains, and transported via the major river systems. These barriers act as the interface between the South Pacific Ocean and the surrounding hinterland. In times of high energy coastal events, breaching is common. This thesis examines the form and function of the Waihao-Wainono barrier, a section of the coastline situated north of the Waitaki River. Breaches along this part of the barrier are frequent and several have rendered the surrounding farmland unusable for several years due to the effects of saltwater inundation. There is some concern among the local community as to exactly why the barrier breaches at certain locations and not others, making land planning and management a difficult task for farmers. Several of the local landowners believe that since the construction of the Waitaki Dam in 1935, a significant decrease in sediment size along the barrier has occurred. It is also thought that the barrier form has experienced substantial change. Through the use of physical techniques used in the field of coastal science, 17 sites along the Waihao-Wainono barrier were studied. Excavations were carried out, surface and substrate profiles recorded and sediment samples collected from the surface. sub-surface and substrate of the barrier. Analysis of the barrier form and barrier volume concluded that the past breach sites consisted of steeper lower foreshore slopes than the non-breach sites, and at two sites, the substrate was not reached. Breach areas display the greatest barrier volume of all the study sites, which is contrary to belief. In relation to the surface sediments, the majority of barrier profiles displayed the distinct mean grain size cross shore zonation, characteristic of mixed sand and gravel beaches. The best and most consistent surface sorting was also identified as being a characteristic of the breach sites. The sediment size is not shown to have drastically reduced over the thirty year sampling period as was perceived by the local community. Within the sub-surface of the barrier, the sediments displayed chaotic sizes and generally poorly sorted material. Several of the breach sites contained a distinct change in sediment size between the coarser surface layer and the finer layer located immediately below. This layering of coarse and fine sized sediments leads to differences in permeability within the barrier, which is thought to be a major factor in why these sites have breached. Resulting from these findings, a group of characteristics of breach sites was formed and several predictions made as to where the barrier may breach in the near future.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2003. / Advisor: Joseph Adamson. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 243-258). Also available via World Wide Web.

Universiẗat, Diss., 2006.

Diss. Linköping : Univ., 2002.

Zugl.: Univ., Göttingen, Diss., 2004

Zugl.: Stuttgart, Univ., Diss., 2007. / Druckausg. beim Verl. Grauer, Beuren; Stuttgart erschienen.