Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Laurence A. Clement / The word “equestrian” is generally not known to be synonymous with sustainability. Although there is a small progressive movement, sustainable design is currently not common practice in the horse industry and desperately needs promoting. Horsemen and women need to be made aware that these techniques exist as well as more information on how to implement them into the facilities that they own and manage. The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), one of the largest equestrian event venues in the nation, has great potential to become an example of successful sustainable design. As host to dozens of events and hundreds of visitors each year, the CHP presents the perfect opportunity to educate the horse community on sustainable practices. Using the Audubon Lifestyles Program and Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) as guides, I will promote the sustainable equestrian movement through the implementation of sustainable elements and an interpretive landscape at the CHP. The goal of this new design will be to educate site users on sustainable practices as well as motivate and inspire them to make changes to their own lifestyles and facilities. Using the theories established through research and precedent studies, a new design for the CHP was developed. There are three principles to this design: using circulation systems to make the facility more functional, implementing sustainable elements into the facility to serve as examples, and providing the visitors with educational opportunities in the form of interpretive exhibits. Function and safety are two major concerns at this type of venue, and are addressed through the re-organization of site elements and the establishment of a circulation system which creates separation between differing traffic types. Sustainable practices are applied in the forms of vegetated drainage ways, protection of riparian areas, xeric plantings, habitat restoration, and a manure composting operation. An interpretive landscape of signage and displays highlights each sustainable element and relates information on how visitors can incorporate sustainable techniques in their own facilities.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study evaluates transformation in South African policies and how it has affected housing delivery in South Africa. Following the collapse of apartheid controls, the new democratic government set an audacious goal of providing appropriate housing to the South African people, as per the Constitutional principle that "all South Africans have a right to a secure place in which to live in peace and dignity. and that housing is a human right", particularly those whom were previously denied housing or could not afford to build their own. Despite changes in the policies, the South African government was unable to meet its targets, nor provide dignified dwellings. Although these challenges were caused by many factors, the most pronounced factor seemed to be the use of traditional and ineffective housing delivery system, such as one-plot-one-dwelling mentality, and lack of integration of housing projects with other social projects. In an effort to improve service delivery, the South African government has in 2004 introduced a new concept, Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA). With the forecast that ASGISA on its own will not have much impact, the author of this study proposes the use of project management as a management philosophy that will assist ASGISA to attain its housing delivery goal(s). With regard to the approach of this study, chapter 1 begins by covering a brief history of the South African policies and the three case studies, i.e. Missionvale, Tin Town and Joe Slovo, where different project management methodologies were used. Chapter 2 goes into slight in-depth analysis of the government chain of legal frameworks and policies, ranging from Reconstruction and Development Program to the National Housing Code of 2000, and lately ASGISA. Chapter 2 concludes by looking at different aspects of project management, including project management in the public sector, and why projects fail in this sector. Chapter 3 covers analyses of application of project management tools in the three case studies. In chapter 4, the findings in the case studies covered in chapter 3 are compared to determine which project was best managed and what value did project management add to the best case study. These case studies are then used in chapter 5 as pillars to discuss how project management can be applied to ASGISA, and what the necessary key success factors are for it to succeed. Finally information covered in this study is pulled together in chapter 6 to discuss and make recommendations on how new systems based on project management principles, could be leveraged in a more significant and efficient manner to improve housing delivery in South Africa. In conclusion, the author stresses the importance of adopting the systems thinking approach under the ASGISA banner in order to achieve better and more effective and efficient housing delivery to the needy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie beoordeel die transformasie van Suid-Afrikaanse beleide en hoe die lewering ten opsigte van behuising daardeur geraak is. Na die verval van die beheermaatreels wat gegeld het tydens die apartheid era, het die nuwe demokratiese regering grootmoedige doelwitte vir die voorsiening van toepaslike behuising aan die Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking gestel, in navolging van die konstitusionele beginsel dat "alle Suid-Afrikaners die reg het op 'n veilige woonplek om in vrede en waardigheid te woon en dat behuising 'n mensereg is", spesifiek daardie persone wat voorheen behuising ontsê is of wat nie kon bekostig om hulle eie huise te bou nie. Nieteenstaande wysigings in die beleidsrigtings, kon die regering nie sy doelwitte bereik nie, en ook nie waardige woonhuise voorsien nie. Hoewel hierdie uitdagings deur vele faktore beinvloed is, blyk die mees uitstaande faktor die gebruik van tradisionele en oneffektiewe behuisings lewering sisteme te wees, soos onder andere die een-standplaas-een-woning mentaliteit en gebrekkige integrasie van behuisingsprojekte met ander maatskaplike projekte. In 'n poging om dienslewering te bevorder het die Suid-Afrikaanse regering in 2004 'n nuwe konsep ingevoer, die sogenaamde "Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa" (ASGISA). Met die voorspelling dat ASGISA in sigself nie veel impak sal hê nie, stel die outeur van hierdie studie voor dat die gebruikmaking van projekbestuur as 'n bestuursfilosofie ASGISA sal instaat stel om sy behuisings leweringsdoelwitte te behaal. Wat die benadering van hierdie studie betref, begin hoofstuk 1 met 'n bondige geskiedenis van die Suid-Afrikaanse beleide en drie gevallestudies, naamlik Missionvale, Tin Town en Joe Slovo, waar verskillende projekbestuur-metodieke gebruik is. In hoofstuk 2 word om 'n geringe in-diepte analise van die regering se reeks van regsraamwerk en beleide, wat strek van die Heropbou en Ontwikkelingsprogram tot die Nasionale Behuisings Handves van 2000 en meer onlangs ASGISA, te onderneem. Hoofstuk 2 word afgesluit deur te kyk na verskillende aspekte van projekbestuur, insluitende projekbestuur in die openbare sektor en waarom projekte in die sektor faal. In hoofstuk 3 word 'n analise van die toepassing van projekbestuur-hulpmiddels in die drie gevallestudies onderneem. In hoofstuk 4 word die bevindinge ten opsigte van die gevallestudies wat in hoofstuk 3 gedoen is, met mekaar vergelyk ten einde te bepaal welke projek die beste bestuur is en wat die waarde was van projekbestuur tot die beste gevallestudie bygedra het. Hierdie gevallestudies word dan in hoofstuk 5 as die pilare gebruik om aan te toon hoe projekbestuur in ASGISA toegepas kan word en wat die sleutel suksesfaktore is vir ASGISA om te slaag. Ten slotte word die studie inligting saamgevat in hoofstuk 6 en bespreek om aan die hand daarvan aanbevelings te maak oor hoe nuwe stelsels gebaseer op projekbestuurbeginsels aangewend kan word om op 'n meer betekenisvolle en effektiewe wyse behuisings lewering in Suid-Afrika te bevorder. Laastens beklemtoon die outeur die belangrikheid daarvan om 'n stelselsbenadering tot bestuur ("systems thinking approach") onder die ASGISA-vaandel te volg ten einde verbeterde en meer effektiewe behuisingslewering aan die behoeftiges te behaal.

No abstract available. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

This study evaluates, by means of face to face interviews and a postal survey, aspects of the Market Towns Initiative (MTI), the Beacon Towns Programme (BTP), and related programmes of community-led work, the majority of which arose from the British Government’s Rural White Paper of 2000. Particular emphasis is placed on: participants’ experiences, achievements and opinions about the programmes; their understanding of rural poverty; the extent to which they thought that the programmes should have had poverty alleviation as an aim, and to which they believed that the programmes had helped to identify and address rural poverty. A review of the literature relating to rural policy reveals that political interest (and, therefore, policymakers’ interest) in the functions of England’s country – “market” - towns, and their place in the settlement hierarchy, has waxed and waned since the Second World War. During this period the nature of government, in particular the balance between the various tiers, has tilted in favour of central government. Consequently, the powers available to County and District/Borough Councils, if not Town/Parish Councils, have reduced. Central government has increasingly looked to partnerships formed from public, voluntary, and private sector organizations to implement policy. It is governance, therefore, rather than government, that has grown in importance in recent years. The MTI/BT programmes were both designed for implementation by broad-based partnerships of professionals and volunteers. The literature also reveals that the post-war period has seen research into poverty become increasingly nuanced and sophisticated, with definitions moving away from the relatively simple to understand (eg lack of money) to more complicated notions of disadvantage, deprivation, and social exclusion. The factors that affect rural poverty have, since the 1970s, been remarkably constant (eg access to services, affordable housing, low income self-employment). The problems of rural poverty have not been solved. It is argued, based on the results of the data acquired from this research, that community-led development programmes such as the MTI/BTP, have the potential to inform the development of policy and practice relating to community-led development and poverty alleviation, to add to the body of knowledge about rural poverty, and to improve the overall understanding of the functions of England’s small towns. Despite the potential of partnerships to effect change, the important role of local authorities as democratically accountable organizations, and contributors to partnerships’ success and effectiveness, is noted.

The goal of this study was to explore the relationship between pluralist structures and involvement in decision-making of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). To establish this relationship the study asked two primary questions: What are the characteristics of power structures of the NBI as they relate to stakeholder involvement in Ethiopia? For those not involved in the decision-making process, what constraints prevent them from getting a ‘seat at the table’?” Two secondary questions were also asked: Do the power structure characteristics in Ethiopia relate to pluralism and, if so, how? To what extent are conditions in Ethiopia compatible with the prerequisites of pluralism? The study focused on one issue-area, the Water Resources Planning and Management Project. Qualitative data were collected primarily from NGOs in Ethiopia during the month of December, 2008. Background information was collected in Entebbe, Uganda, the home to the NBI Secretariat. Data sources included in-depth key informant interviews (n=30), archival, geographical, historical, and scientific accounts. The findings show that 1) the characteristics of power structures of the Nile Basin Initiative in Ethiopia are both pluralistic and elitist; 2) the level of involvement in the Water Resources Planning and Management Project by nongovernmental stakeholders is low; 3) the framework for involvement is limited and restricted to invitations to selected meetings in which the role of the NGOs is that of the observer; 4) political factors are the leading constraints to involvement, followed by lack of capacity of the NGOs and the NBI, structural limitations, and lack of information and awareness. The study concludes that, even though there is consistent theoretical link between pluralist structures and stakeholder involvement, the mere presence of pluralist structures does not guarantee involvement. It all depends on how well those structures function. The findings thus leads this study to hypothesize that the pluralist structures and elite power structures exist side by side, at least in the context of Ethiopia. Through the pluralist structures, organized groups are formally recognized while the elite power structures determine the process and who makes the decisions.

Digitisation of Copyrighted Works The thesis deals with the issue of digitisation of copyrighted works. The aim of this work is to provide a comprehensive account of the digitisation phenomenon in relation to copyrighted works from the point of view of the Czech Copyright Act and to analyse two digitisation projects to identify practical issues and, if possible, solutions to these. The text is divided into five chapters, each of them dedicated to a different aspect of the topic presented. The first of the two introductory chapters focuses on the legal institute of copyrighted work as defined by the Copyright Act of the Czech Republic. The five subchapters analyse the concept of copyrighted work, examine legal fiction expanding the set of protected objects and specify the respective protected objects within the category of copyrighted works. The two subchapters comprising the following chapter study the phenomenon of digitisation from the factual point of view. The first subchapter describes the concept of digitisation, focusing on technical aspects, while the second one makes distinction between the digitisation and born-digital materials. The third chapter provides ground for merging the legal aspects of copyrighted works and the factual aspects of digitisation into the key issue of digitisation of...

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / The thesis research examines the emergence of Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) architecture currently under development by the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative established by the Department of Defense (DoD). SCORM is a collection of specifications adapted from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive suite of E-Learning capabilities that enable interoperability, accessibility, and reusability of Web-based learning content. To understand better the implementation issues of SCORM architecture, the authors analyze all versions of SCORM to understand the evolution of this emerging architecture. It contrasts the evolving requirements for shareable content objects with concerns of copyright issues. The authors address development and implementation issues surrounding the maturation of SCORM architecture and the ADL initiative. The authors recommend that DoD, international, and civilian business partners join in improving E-Learning by embracing technology, such as SCORM, that allows for shareable content objects to be used and reused within civilian and military education and training Learning Management Systems (LMS) across the World Wide Web. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy / Lieutenant, United States Naval Reserve

Energy cooperatives have become an important player in the German energy transition. After two legal amendments in the Renewable Energy Act in 2012 and 2014 the number of new foundations dropped sig-nificantly. Several studies have investigated potential barriers and opportunities for energy cooperatives to expand their business model beyond energy production and adapt to the legal changes. This study aims to identify relevant factors that lead energy cooperatives to have a high or a low level of diversification. To this end, I interviewed board members of eight energy cooperatives and complemented the findings by the assessment of firm documents and newspaper articles. While no single factor seems to be decisive, the founding initiative, in particular a clear vision and concrete business goals correlate with the level of di-versification. Important is, that a high level of internal resources or strong support from the local govern-ment alone cannot explain a high level of diversification. Instead, I identified two important aspects, in-teractive effects and threshold effects, that help to understand why energy cooperatives have a high or low level of diversification. Interactive effects mean, that a negative performance in one factor, such as a low level of internal resources, can be outbalanced by a very positive performance in another factor, such as external resources or local political environment. Threshold effects mean, that apparently a certain perfor-mance of a factor might be sufficient to achieve a high level of diversification, whereas a high performance of all factors, also leads to a very high level of diversification, as was shown with one cooperative, that serves as best practice example and corresponds to the theoretical model as forecasted. That means future research should deal with the complex nature of energy cooperatives, as diversification and probably de-velopment in general cannot be explained by looking at single factors, such as the level of internal re-sources. The findings also suggest, that for some energy cooperatives the plan to adopt new business mod-els was already laid at the foundation and did not spontaneously emerge as response to the legal changes. A future study should investigate, whether that applies to energy cooperatives more generally, or was just found  to be  true  for the eight cases  studied  here. The role of external resources  to adopt  new  business models has to be emphasized and calls for more cooperation among energy cooperatives and with external partners, to continuously be important players for the energy transition.

År 2021 fyller Göteborg 400 år som stad. På initiativ av Göteborgs kommun och Göteborg & Co firas detta med en stor jubileumssatsning som involverar ett stort antal projekt. Hela jubileumssatsningen startade år 2010 och sträcker sig fram till självaste jubileumsåret 2021. Under denna tidsperiod har flera projekt genomförts som en del av Göteborgs 400-årsjubileum, och fler projekt kommer att genomföras. Inför Göteborgs 300-årsjubileum, år 1921, grundades flera besöksmål som än idag har stor betydelse för Göteborg och Göteborgs besöksnäring. Denna studie syftar till att att undersöka hur fem projekt inom Göteborgs jubileumssatsning eventuellt kan bidra till att Göteborg blir en mer attraktiv destination för besökare med hjälp av destinationsutveckling och marknadsföring. De fem projekten som har studerats är; “Lisebergs jubileumssatsning”, “Göteborgsvarvet Marathon”, “Göteborg berättar”, “Artscape” samt “Tillgänglig skärgård”.  För att besvara studiens syfte har en kvalitativ metod med intervjuer och dokument-och textanalys använts, med utgångspunkt i kritisk realism och en abduktiv ansats. Den tidigare forskningen har utgått ifrån två huvudteman, vilket är; “Destinationsutveckling och “Destinationsmarknadsföring”. Resultatet och analysen presenteras efter samma huvudteman. Från intervjuerna och dokument- och textanalysen kan det konstateras att projekten på olika sätt bidrar till att Göteborg blir en mer attraktiv stad, detta genom att erbjuda unika egenskaper som särskiljer Göteborg från andra destinationer. Det går även att fastställa att marknadsföringen är en viktig del för att sprida information till besökare, där innehållsmarknadsföring, spridning av information via hemsidor, sociala medier, radio och tidningar är betydelsefullt. Dessutom är samarbetet mellan aktörer oerhört viktigt för att destinationen ska utvecklas och attrahera besökare. / In 2021 Gothenburg is turning 400 years as a city. On the initiative of the Gothenburg municipality and Göteborg & Co, this is celebrated with a large anniversary that involves a large number of projects. The entire anniversary initiative started in 2010 and extends until the anniversary year 2021. During this period of time, several projects have been implemented as part of the Gothenburg 400th anniversary, and more projects will be implemented. Prior to the Gothenburg 300th anniversary in 1921, several visitor attractions were founded, which today are of great importance for Gothenburg and Gothenburg’s tourism industry. This study aims to investigate how five projects as a part of Gothenburg’s 400th anniversary possibly can contribute to Gothenburg becoming a more attractive destination for visitors using destination development and marketing. The five projects that have been studied are; “Liseberg anniversary project”, “Gothenburg marathon”, “Gothenburg tells”, “Artscape” and “Accessible archipelago”.  To answer the aim of this study, a qualitative method has been used, based on critical realism. Previous research from which the study is based upon, are divided into two main themes, which is; “Destination development” and “Destination marketing”. The result and analysis are presented through the same main themes. Furthermore, the study show the projects in various ways contribute to Gothenburg becoming a more attractive city, this by offering unique characteristics that differentiates Gothenburg from other destinations. It is also possible to state that marketing is an important part of spreading information to visitors, where content marketing and information via websites, social media, radio and newspapers are important. In addition, the cooperation between actors is extremely important for the destination to be developed and attract visitors.

A presente dissertação trata da obrigação de não concorrência nos contratos empresariais. O trabalho divide-se em duas partes. A primeira será dedicada a introduzir os fundamentos teóricos necessários à compreensão da função exercida pela obrigação de não concorrência em cada um dos tipos contratuais que será individualmente analisado na segunda parte. Assim, a primeira parte traçará um panorama geral sobre os princípios e conceitos essenciais à compreensão da função jurídica e econômica que a obrigação de não concorrência exerce nos contratos empresariais. Inicialmente, dissertaremos sobre os princípios constitucionais da livre concorrência e da livre iniciativa, informando o papel que eles desempenham na proteção dos mercados e no desenvolvimento econômico nacional. Em seguida, apresentaremos um breve escorço histórico das políticas de defesa da concorrência engendradas pela legislação infraconstitucional pátria na consecução dos referidos princípios constitucionais. A partir da definição desses princípios e da análise da evolução histórica da defesa da concorrência, exporemos conclusões sobre o objetivo e os objetos mediatos e imediatos de tutela da concorrência. Em seguida, trataremos da atividade empresarial desempenhada nos mercados concorrenciais, dissertando de forma breve sobre a teoria geral da empresa e sobre os conceitos de empresário, empresa e estabelecimento empresarial, dedicando atenção especial ao estudo dos elementos e atributos da azienda, principalmente no que se refere ao aviamento e à clientela. Por fim, encerraremos a primeira parte com um capítulo dedicado à definição do conceito da obrigação de não concorrência, dissertando sobre a sua natureza jurídica, histórico doutrinário e jurisprudencial, aplicação no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro e alienígena, teorias justificadoras, hipóteses de incidência e limites de aplicação nos contratos empresariais. A segunda parte será dedicada à análise efetiva dos contratos empresariais e terá como objetivo demonstrar a função que a obrigação de não concorrência exerce nos negócios jurídicos e como ela pode ser determinante para conferir eficácia às obrigações principais assumidas pelos contratantes. Por fim, apresentar-se-á conclusão ao trabalho, buscando-se evidenciar a importância da incidência da obrigação de não concorrência em determinados contratos empresariais como ferramenta essencial ao exercício da livre concorrência e da livre iniciativa. / This dissertation addresses the non-compete obligation in company contracts. The paper is divided into two parts. The first part will introduce the theoretical fundaments required to understand the function of the non-compete obligation in each contract type, which will be individually analyzed in the second part. Thus, the first part will trace an overall scenario of the principles and concepts required for understanding the legal and economic function of the non-compete obligation in corporate contracts. Initially, we will discuss the constitutional principles of free competition and free initiative, informing the role played by each in market protection and in the national economic development. Next, we will present a brief historical background on anti-trust policies adopted by the national infraconstitutional laws in meeting said constitutional principles. From the definition of these principles and the analysis of the historical course of anti-trust practice, we will present conclusions on the aims and mediate and immediate objects of anti-trust protection. Next, we will address business activities performed in competitive markets, briefly discussing the general theory of company and the concepts of company owner, company and business establishment, with emphasis on the study of the elements and attributes of the azienda, mainly goodwill and customer base. The first part will conclude with a chapter dedicated to defining the concept of the non-compete obligation, discussing the legal nature, doctrine and jurisprudence background, application in the Brazilian and international legal order, justifying theories, hypothesis of application and limitations on the application in company contracts. The second part will address the analysis of company contracts and will aim at demonstrating the function of the non-compete obligation in legal transactions and how decisive it can for the effectiveness of the main obligations undertaken by the contracting parties. In conclusion, this paper will highlight the importance of the application of the non-compete obligation in certain company contracts as an essential instrument for free enterprise and free initiative.