The compatibility of on-site consumption alcohol outlets as land use is predicted by the acceptance level of the utility or disutility they enjoy amongst residents in a neighbourhood. The density of alcohol outlets is argued in literature as correlating to the significant positive rate of amenity effects that include property crime, alcohol related arrests, drunk-driving, fatal and severe alcohol-induced accidents, violence and assault amongst many others. The problems associated with on-site consumption alcohol outlets have been insistently brought to the attention of the Umjindi Local Municipality in the Ehlanzeni District area in Mpumalanga Province by the residents of the Emjindini neighbourhood. The study is based on the hypothesis that the high density of on-site consumption alcohol outlets contributes to the incompatibility of such outlets with residential areas. In addressing the research sub-questions and validating the research hypothesis, the study adopted various methods (including land use surveys, interviews, administration of questionnaires, literature review and document review) for the collection, analysis, interpretation and discussion of data. The study reveals that the higher density of alcohol consumption outlets is significant in areas of low socioeconomic status. The Emjindini Townships are located with the density of 1 on-site consumption alcohol outlet per 263 people. Liquor legislation in South Africa leaves a lot to be desired in its guidelines for alcohol outlet density, public participation, location radius and local authority involvement. In addition, our findings showed that the significantly unacceptable level of impact thereof is experienced especially in the night, in areas characterised by the high density of on-site consumption alcohol outlets. The on-site consumption alcohol outlets are seen as compatible land uses in residential areas for the reason that, the unacceptable level of impact is insignificant during the day. The adoption of preferred and practical guidelines related to the locality and density of on-site consumption alcohol outlets, compatibility performance standards and public participation are recommended for policy and practice. The amendment to the liquor law is subsequently proposed in this study. / M.U.R.D.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2014.

This thesis makes significant contributions to improving the use of Airport Safety Areas (ASAs) as aviation accident risk mitigation measures by developing improved accident frequency models and risk assessment methodologies. In recent years, the adequacy of ASAs such as the Runway End Safety Area and Runway Safety Area has come under increasing scrutiny. The current research found flaws in the existing ASA regulations and airport risk assessment techniques that lead to the provision of inconsistent safety margins at airports and runways. The research was based on a comprehensive database of ASA-related accidents, which was matched by a representative sample of normal operations data, such that the exposure to a range of operational and meteorological risk factors between accident and normal flights could be compared. On this basis, the criticality of individual risk factors was quantified and accident frequency models were developed using logistic regression. These models have considerably better predictive power compared to models used by previous airport risk assessments. An improved risk assessment technique was developed coupling the accident frequency models with accident location data, yielding distributions that describe the frequency of accidents that reach specific distances beyond the runway end or centreline given the risk exposure profile of the particular runway. The application of the proposed methodology was demonstrated in two case studies. Specific recommendations on ASA dimensions were made for achieving consistent levels of safety on each side of the runway. Advances made in this study have implications on the overall assessment and management of risks at airports.

Dry forest is one of the most threatened tropical forests in the world. Human impact has caused its massive transformation but conservation of dry forest has often been neglected across Latin America. In Colombia, less than 10% of the original extension of dry forest remains. This thesis studies the phytogeography of neotropical dry forest and its relevance for conservation using data from 1602 tree species inventories made in dry forests across Latin America and the Caribbean synthesised by The Latin American Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest Floristic Network (DRYFLOR). Clustering and ordination analyses were used to explore the floristic relationships of dry forest across the entire Neotropics, revealing distinctive regional clusters defined by their tree species composition. Colombian dry forests are shown to be part of two wider clusters, one including neighbouring forests in Venezuela and southern Central America, and the second including the inter-Andean dry forests. The high turnover of floristic diversity and endemism within and amongst the main floristic groups demonstrates that to conserve the full species diversity in dry forests across Latin America and the Caribbean will require protecting it simultaneously across multiple regions. A regionally focused study of floristic relationships in the Central American and northern South American dry tropical forest group, using quantitative approaches to conservation prioritization, including a new Conservation Priority Index (CPI), suggests that conservation priority should be placed on the South American Caribbean Coast in the cross-border area of Colombia and Venezuela. This emphasises the need for a biogeographical approach to conservation that cannot be restricted by political borders. Within Colombia, new quantitative floristic data were used to investigate controls of floristic composition in dry forests. Multivariate analyses showed that space related variables explain a larger fraction of the variance of the floristic composition than climatic or edaphic variables. The importance of spatial variables implies that biogeography is a key element in understanding the structure of communities, and that the Andean cordilleras might be acting as geographical barriers isolating these seasonally dry formations. The value of floristic inventory data for assessing the conservation status of tree species using IUCN criteria was assessed in a case of study of the Andean Piedmont dry forest. By combining inventory data from the DRYFLOR database and herbarium records, the number of species for which we have sufficient information to make conservation assessments increases by 16% and the accuracy of predictive species distribution improves for 84% of the species. Together, these results reveal the importance of ecological inventory data as a complementary data source in conservation assessment for dry forest trees in the Neotropics. Finally, the conclusions chapter places these results in the context of conservation planning for Colombian dry forests, including some suggestions for research, policies and actions. These actions include restoration programmes focusing on sustainable harvesting of native dry forest tree species, for example for firewood and other forest resources such as fruits, fibres and medicines. A land use mosaic, including forest fallows and strict conservation areas, may help to guarantee the long-term maintenance dry forest species in Colombia.

Doctor of Philosophy / Environmental Design and Planning / Huston Gibson / Lee R. Skabelund / Urban agriculture and urban food-systems are locally productive landscapes and their supporting programs and networks. Urban agriculture is now valued and actively promoted by many urban communities. Having numerous community benefits, UA is often considered to have desirable neighborhood amenities and is assumed to have effects on nearby property prices. However, very little is known about the primary or secondary economic contribution of these productive landscapes to urban environments, particularly in regards to how urban agriculture relates to property values in a neighborhood. Because urban agriculture sites are often overpowered by increasing exchange-values of surrounding properties, the original values (economic and non-economic) to the neighborhood or community may be lost as urban agricultural sites are transformed by “higher return” development schemes. Since urban agriculture can disappear or fail without effective financing and adequate policy and planning support, it is imperative to the longevity of such programs to understand how important land-use and economic variables interrelate. This study examines the spatial-temporal magnitude and economic relationship between urban agriculture parcels and property values. The study uses the hedonic method employing the Spatial-Durbin modeling approach. Findings expand the theoretical and policy discourse on how investment of public resources aids neighborhood development through low exchange-value programs such as urban agriculture. In understanding the advantages of local food systems to urban form, context-specific neighborhood strategies developed in tandem with targeted community development and comprehensive plans can improve urban revitalization and (re)development within a larger resilient city planning framework. The key findings from the study illustrate that there is great value in understanding the most appropriate design approach and features of urban agriculture for different neighborhoods and market groups. Important design considerations include scale, design aesthetic, abundance and quality of urban agriculture sites within different market groups and neighborhoods.

Submitted by Ronaldo Alberto Pollo null (rapollo@fca.unesp.br) on 2017-04-05T13:33:15Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Ronaldo A Pollo - tese final.pdf: 27417967 bytes, checksum: ec703020dcfee174e6f20557e6bb27d8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-04-12T14:24:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 pollo_ra_dr_bot.pdf: 27417967 bytes, checksum: ec703020dcfee174e6f20557e6bb27d8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-12T14:24:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pollo_ra_dr_bot.pdf: 27417967 bytes, checksum: ec703020dcfee174e6f20557e6bb27d8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-07 / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o mapeamento do Zoneamento Ambiental da bacia hidrográfica do ribeirão Paraíso-SP, que possui suas principais nascentes à sua montante, sendo utilizadas para o abastecimento urbano e industrial do município de São Manuel-SP, onde uma porção desta encontra-se inserida na Área de Proteção Ambiental-APA perímetro Botucatu-SP, considerada uma área de recarga do Aquífero Guarani. Com a utilização das imagens de satélite SPOT 5, LANDSAT 8 e Sistemas de Informações Geográficas, além dos dados de relevo e solos, foram delimitadas as ocupações da cobertura e uso da terra e através de cruzamentos obteve-se os mapeamentos da fragilidade ambiental potencial, que representa os ambientes naturais e fragilidade ambiental emergente, que representa os ambientes com alterações humanas. O SIG utilizado facilitou o processamento e análise do conjunto das variáveis ambientais utilizadas. A análise integrada dos mapeamentos da Fragilidade Ambiental Emergente e das áreas de Preservação Permanentes, resultou a partir da delimitação de áreas homogêneas, o mapa de Zoneamento Ambiental da área de estudo, no qual foram estabelecidas 4 Zonas com suas respectivas unidades ambientais segundo suas potencialidades, limitações e restrições de uso de natureza física, ambiental e jurídica. Em seus mais variados ambientes apresentados na área de estudo com informações sistematizadas sobre o meio, o Zoneamento Ambiental mostrou-se um instrumento importante para o ordenamento e orientação na definição de políticas e estratégias para o planejamento ambiental, que além de apresentar sugestões pontuais e medidas preventivas para um manejo sustentável dos recursos naturais, mediante informações de suas paisagens, tornou-se uma ferramenta capaz de orientar e corroborar com outros instrumentos de planejamento e gestão ambiental. / The present work aimed to map the Environmental Zoning of the Ribeirão Paraíso - SP watershed, which has in its own quantity of springs in its upstream and being used for the urban and industrial supply in the São Manuel- SP county, where a portion is inserted in the Environmental Protection Area - APA perimeter Botucatu- SP, that was considered a recharge area of the Guarani Aquifer. With use of satellite images SPOT 5, LANDSAT 8 in Geographic Information System besides the relief and soil data, they were delimited as cover and soil land use and through crossings was got the mappings of the environmental fragility potential, that represents the natural enviroments and emergent environmental fragility, that represent the anthropic enviroments. The GIS was facilitated by the processing and analysis of the set of environmental variables. The integrated analysis of aspects about the permanent conservation, resulting from the delimitation of homogeneous areas, from the environmental zoning map of the study area, in which four Zones have been defined with their respective environmental units according to their potentials, limitations and restrictions about the of use of physical nature, environmental and juridical. In their most varied environments they stand out in the study area with systematized information about the medium, the Environmental Zoning showed as an important instrument for the project and guidance in the definition of policies and strategies for environmental planning, which in addition to presenting specific suggestions and preventive measures for a sustainable management of natural resources, through its information, becomes an instrument capable of guiding and coroborating with other instruments of environmental planning and management.

Orientador: Jorge Hamada / Banca: Edson Aparecido Abdul Nour / Banca: Isabel Cristina de Barros Trannin / Resumo: A estreita relação entre o uso e a ocupação do solo e qualidade da água é destacada numa bacia hidrográfica periurbana no município de Bauru, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Cerca de 70% do abastecimento municipal se dá através do aquífero Guarani, que se encontra regionalmente no limite de sua exploração sustentável e o município tem como única alternativa, em seus limites administrativos, o manancial superficial estudado. O estudo abrangeu a identificação de fontes poluentes, o monitoramento mensal de oitos pontos de amostragem e a elaboração de um modelo de qualidade da água. Fontes pontuais de poluição predominan na região da cabeceira da bacia hidrográfica, pela contribuição de esgoto doméstico advindos de áreas urbanizadas, com indústrias e complexos penitenciários (CP). Fontes difusas predominam no médio e no final do percurso da drenagem principal devido às atividades agropastoris. O modelo de Streeter-Phelps, ajustado para o corpo principal, apresentou boa correlação até o médio percurso, onde as amostragens foram mais detalhadas. Apesar da forte pressão urbana, o Índice de Qualidade da Água (IQA) indica, águas de boa qualidade para abastecimento público. Contudo, os limites dessa qualidade podem ser facilmente extrapolados uma vez que os vetores de crescimento urbano apontam para esta bacia. Este fator demonstra a importância do monitoramento contínuo e a aplicação do modelo de qualidade de água como instrumentos para o desenvolvimento de planos efetivos de gestão desse recurso hídrico / Abstract: This study covers the use and occupation and their influence on water quality in a watershed in a periurban in Bauru city, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. About 70% of the municipal supply is through the Guarani aquifer, which is regionally within the limits of their sustainable exploitation and the municipality has the only alternative, in their administrative boundaries, the source surface studied. The study includes the identification of sources if pollutants, the montly monitoring at eight sampling stations and water quality modeling. Point sources of pollution prevalent in the region of the head of the basin, the contribution of sewage coming from urban areas, with industries and prison complex (PC). Diffuse sources dominate the middle and at the very end the main drain due to agropastoral activities. The Streeter-Phelps model, adjusted for the main body, showed a good correlation to the middle path, where the samples were more detailed. Despite the strong urban pressure, the Water Quality Index (AQI) also indicates good quality water for public supply. However, this quality limits can be easily extrapoled since the vectors of urban point to the basin. This factor shows the importance of continuous monitoring and implementation of water quality model as tools to develop effective plants to manage this water resource / Mestre

The government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have signed agreements heralding an era of “peace” for the country. While the end of the confrontation brings many opportunities, it also poses numerous challenges. This article argues that the most significant of these challenges is the potential for the conflict to merely transform into a socio-environmental conflict. Indeed, the mere signing of the peace agreements does not constitute a guarantee to prevent the escalation of conflict in some regions. To prevent this, the dynamics of dialogue and consensus evidenced in the negotiations that took place in Havana must be replicated at a local level in the territories that once were dominated by the FARC. Improved security conditions deriving from the ceasefire have shown propitious for the development of extractive activities in territories previously ridden by armed conflict. But while the dynamism of the mining and energy sector provides significant opportunity for economic development, it has coincided with the intensification of socio-environmental conflict in several regions of the country. If the government does not address these rising conflicts between multi-nationals and local populations, what is now fertile ground for peacebuilding could prove to be the beginning of a new form of long-lasting violent conflict. / El gobierno de Colombia y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) han suscrito los acuerdos que presagian una era de “paz” para el país. Si bien el fin del enfrentamiento armado trae consigo muchas oportunidades, plantea a su vez muchos retos. La firma de los acuerdos de paz no constituye una garantía para evitar la intensificación del conflicto en algunas regiones. Las dinámicas de diálogo y concertación de las mesas de negociación de La Habana deben replicarse en los territorios que otrora fueron dominados por las FARC si no se quiere incrementar el conflicto, particularmente el socioambiental. El mejoramiento de las condiciones de seguridad que derivan del cese al fuego entre ambos bandos se ha mostrado propicio para el desarrollo de actividades extractivas en territorios donde hasta hace poco estuvieron vedadas. El reciente dinamismo del sector minero energético coincide con el escalamiento del conflicto socioambiental en numerosos territorios del país. Ante esta situación, la promoción del desarrollo por el Estado colombiano constituye un complejo desafío en el contexto de construcción de la paz.

abstract: With more than 70 percent of the world's population expected to live in cities by 2050, it behooves us to understand urban sustainability and improve the capacity of city planners and policymakers to achieve sustainable goals. Producing and linking knowledge to action is a key tenet of sustainability science. This dissertation examines how knowledge-action systems -- the networks of actors involved in the production, sharing and use of policy-relevant knowledge -- work in order to inform what capacities are necessary to effectively attain sustainable outcomes. Little is known about how knowledge-action systems work in cities and how they should be designed to address their complexity. I examined this question in the context of land use and green area governance in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where political conflict exists over extensive development, particularly over the city's remaining green areas. I developed and applied an interdisciplinary framework -- the Knowledge-Action System Analysis (KASA) Framework --that integrates concepts of social network analysis and knowledge co-production (i.e., epistemic cultures and boundary work). Implementation of the framework involved multiple methods --surveys, interviews, participant observations, and document--to gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data. Results from the analysis revealed a diverse network of actors contributing different types of knowledge, thus showing a potential in governance for creativity and innovation. These capacities, however, are hindered by various political and cultural factors, such as: 1) breakdown in vertical knowledge flow between state, city, and local actors; 2) four divergent visions of San Juan's future emerging from distinct epistemic cultures; 3) extensive boundary work by multiple actors to separate knowledge and planning activities, and attain legitimacy and credibility in the process; 4) and hierarchies of knowledge where outside expertise (e.g., private planning and architectural firms) is privileged over others, thus reflecting competing knowledge systems in land use and green area planning in San Juan. I propose a set of criteria for building just and effective knowledge-action systems for cities, including: context and inclusiveness, adaptability and reflexivity, and polycentricity. In this way, this study also makes theoretical contributions to the knowledge systems literature specifically, and urban sustainability in general. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Sustainability 2012

abstract: The dissertation focuses on one Truku (Indigenous) village in eastern Taiwan and aims to understand the processes and possibilities of bottom-up language revitalization. In 2012, the National Geographic Genographic Legacy Fund supported the village to start a community-driven language revitalization initiative. Drawing on scholarship guided by critical Indigenous research methodologies, critical sociocultural approaches to language policy and planning, and sociocultural approaches to learning, this study is an attempt to generate qualitative ethnographic research to facilitate local praxis. The major findings are four: Firstly, after decades of colonialism, villagers' lived experiences and language ideological standpoints vary significantly across generations and households, which constraints the possibility of collective endeavors. Secondly, building on previous scholars' emphasis on "ideological clarification" prior to language revitalization, I identify the dimension of embodied ideological differences, using cultural historical activity theory to illustrate how certain "mainstream" artifacts (e.g. orthography) can confine orally dominant elders' capacity to contribute. In a similar vein, by closely examining children's voices and language performances, I highlight children's theory of language as relationship-building and a theory of learning as participation in communities of participation, which stand in stark contrast to adult educators' constructs of acquisition and proficiency in traditional SLA. Finally, inspired by children and elders' voices, methodologically I argue for a relational conceptualization of agency and propose a relationship-oriented language revitalization framework. Such framework values and incorporates existing social relationships in praxis, and requires researchers and practitioners to humbly recognize the work of power in social relations and develop a trusting, reflective bond with the villagers before rushing to impose agendas. This dissertation contributes to the scholarship of language policy and planning by incorporating sociocultural learning theories designed to generate praxis-oriented analysis. By contextualizing identity and SLA processes in an Indigenous context, the study also illuminates the affective dimension of language learning and education. Overall this study offers valuable insights for scholars, educators, and practitioners interested in community-based language education. Equally important, this research represents the voices of multiple generations of Truku people, deeply committed to ensuring that future generations remain connected to their heritage language, knowledge system, and ways of being. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. English 2014

abstract: The environmental and economic assessment of neighborhood-scale transit-oriented urban form changes should include initial construction impacts through long-term use to fully understand the benefits and costs of smart growth policies. The long-term impacts of moving people closer to transit require the coupling of behavioral forecasting with environmental assessment. Using new light rail and bus rapid transit in Los Angeles, California as a case study, a life-cycle environmental and economic assessment is developed to assess the potential range of impacts resulting from mixed-use infill development. An integrated transportation and land use life-cycle assessment framework is developed to estimate energy consumption, air emissions, and economic (public, developer, and user) costs. Residential and commercial buildings, automobile travel, and transit operation changes are included and a 60-year forecast is developed that compares transit-oriented growth against growth in areas without close access to high-capacity transit service. The results show that commercial developments create the greatest potential for impact reductions followed by residential commute shifts to transit, both of which may be effected by access to high-capacity transit, reduced parking requirements, and developer incentives. Greenhouse gas emission reductions up to 470 Gg CO₂-equivalents per year can be achieved with potential costs savings for TOD users. The potential for respiratory impacts (PM₁₀-equivalents) and smog formation can be reduced by 28-35%. The shift from business-as-usual growth to transit-oriented development can decrease user costs by $3,100 per household per year over the building lifetime, despite higher rental costs within the mixed-use development. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Civil Engineering 2014